Trump Threatens to Strike Iran 20 Times Harder in Response to Strait of Hormuz Closure

United States President Donald Trump has protested the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route. Trump issued a stern warning that America would strike Iran twenty times harder if the blockade of oil flows through Hormuz continues.

According to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, Trump cautioned that such sustained blockade would trigger a devastating military response from the United States.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, they will be struck by the United States TWENTY TIMES HARDER than what they have experienced so far,” Trump stated firmly in a statement via Truth Social, as quoted by detikNews.

“Furthermore, we will destroy easy-to-destroy targets that will make it nearly impossible for Iran to rebuild itself as a nation – Death, Fire, and Fury will befall them – But I hope, and pray, that this will not happen!” the US President said.

Trump presented his stance as part of a broader effort to protect the international energy market. Trump characterised this as an “American gift to China and all nations that heavily use the Strait of Hormuz”.

“Hopefully, this is a signal that will be greatly appreciated,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed since the US and its ally Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on 28 February. That attack was countered by Tehran with waves of missile and drone strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf states hosting American military assets.

The cycle of mutual strikes nearly halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for oil and other goods.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway that typically handles approximately 20 per cent of global oil trade and the volume of global liquefied natural gas exports. However, according to analytical firm Kpler, which operates the Marine Traffic platform, tanker traffic there has declined by 90 per cent in a week.