Trump threatens to intensify attacks on Iran if Strait of Hormuz is blockaded

New York — The United States has threatened to attack Iran “20 times harder” if Tehran blocks oil supplies at the Strait of Hormuz, according to President Donald Trump.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, they will be attacked by the United States twenty times harder than what they have faced so far,” Trump said via Truth Social on Tuesday (10 March).

He stated that the US would also target easily destructible sites so that “it would be impossible for Iran to rebuild its country” because “death, fire, and rage will prevail over them”.

“But I hope, and pray, that this does not happen!” the US President added.

Trump characterised this as a “gift” from the US to China and all countries that heavily depend on the unobstructed passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I hope this action will receive much appreciation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that Iran does not close the Strait of Hormuz or obstruct shipping in the region.

In an interview with PBS, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the slowdown or cessation of oil production and shipments is not caused by Iran, but rather “due to attacks and aggression by Israel and the United States against us”.

Therefore, America and Israel are responsible for making the entire region unsafe, and they are the ones causing tankers and other ships to fear sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, he said.

“We do not close the strait. We do not obstruct their shipping in this strait,” Araghchi emphasised.