Iran Responds to Trump's 'Hell' Threat, Sets Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s presidential office has issued a statement regarding the closure of a highly vital international trade route. The statement was delivered directly by Mehdi Tabatabai, Deputy for Communications and Information at the Iranian President’s Office, via his post on the US-based social media platform X. Sunday (05/04/2026). Tehran has emphasised that the Strait of Hormuz will only be reopened for transit if the revenues from such activities are used to compensate for damages caused by the war. It is known that Iran has suffered several severe attacks from the US and Israel. “The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened only if a portion of the transit revenues is used to compensate for all the damage caused by the imposed war,” said Tabatabai, as quoted by Anadolu Agency. In addition to demanding compensation, Tabatabai also launched sharp criticism at US President Donald Trump. He assessed that the stance of the superpower’s leader shows frustration amid escalating tensions in the Middle East region. “Trump has resorted to insults and empty talk out of desperation and anger. He has ignited a full-scale war in this region and continues to boast,” Tabatabai stated. The security situation in the region is indeed on high alert since the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February. The devastating attack has reportedly killed more than 1,340 people to date, including the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. In response to this aggression, Tehran has carried out retaliatory attacks using drones and missiles targeting Israel. These counterattacks also targeted Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. In addition to physical attacks, Iran has officially restricted the movement of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as a form of economic and political pressure on Western allies. The restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz have drawn strong condemnation from Trump. He asserted that the US military is prepared to take extreme measures if the strait is not opened. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all combined into one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open that damn Strait, you crazy bastards, or you will live in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise the Lord. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote, quoting The Guardian. US Senate Minority Leader from the Democratic Party, Chuck Schumer, sharply criticised Trump’s stance, which he deemed as acting like a madman. Schumer assessed that threats of attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute a potential war crime that shames the United States. “Happy Easter, America. As you go to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is instead ranting like an unhinged madman on social media. He is threatening potential war crimes and alienating allies. This is him, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves much better,” Schumer firmly stated via his X account. International law expert from Yale University, Oona A. Hathaway, added that attacks on civilian objects such as power plants and bridges have no legitimate legal basis in warfare. She warned of international legal consequences for the US if Trump’s threats are actually carried out. “If these threatened attacks are carried out, it would constitute a war crime. Tormenting civilians for leverage is not lawful under the law,” Hathaway concluded.