Washington, DC [US], March 10 : US President Donald Trump has issued a formidable warning to Tehran, asserting that any efforts to impede the transit of petroleum through the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a massive military retaliation.
The President declared that the American response would be significantly more intense than any previous engagements if the vital shipping lane is compromised.
"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," the US President said in a post on Truth Social.
Elaborating on the potential scope of such an operation, Trump indicated that the US military would focus on "easily destroyable" locations. He suggested that such strikes could be so devastating that they might hinder Iran's ability to recover as a nation.
"Death, Fire and Fury will reign upon them -- But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!" he added.
The US President framed this hardline stance as a move to protect international commerce, specifically highlighting how such stability would serve the interests of major global economies, including Beijing.
"This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated," he added.
This warning comes amidst the broader, ongoing friction involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Despite the heightening rhetoric regarding the Strait, Trump suggested in a separate interview that the current military conflict has reached a decisive stage.
Speaking to CBS News, Trump stated that the war is "very complete" and "pretty much over". He further assessed that Tehran's defensive and offensive capabilities have been thoroughly dismantled.
"They have no navy, no communications, they've got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones," Trump stated.
The President noted that while initial estimates for US involvement in Iran spanned at least four to five weeks, the operations have moved at an accelerated pace. On Monday, he claimed that Washington has been "far ahead" in its timeline and the conflict could come to an end soon.
However, the Iranian leadership has pushed back against the narrative of a swift conclusion. Responding to the US President's remarks, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that it will be the one who will "determine the end of the war".