President Donald Trump warned Monday that the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran attempts to halt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, even as he has recently said U.S. strikes have already severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.
“Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Trump added.
Trump also framed U.S. protection of the strategic waterway as a benefit to countries around the world that rely heavily on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
“This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait,” Trump wrote.
Reuters reported that Trump issued the warning as tensions rise over the possibility Iran could attempt to disrupt traffic through the strait, a move that could trigger major economic consequences worldwide.
