Trump Warns Iran: Any Move on Strait of Hormuz Will Mean End of The Country
Trump warns Iran against disrupting Hormuz as global oil markets reel.
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to take over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz if Tehran attempts any further disruptions or "anything cute" in response to ongoing US and Israeli military operations against the country. The statement comes amid a week-long conflict that has severely disrupted global oil flows, with commercial shipping through the strait largely halted due to Iranian attacks on vessels.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, handles approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Iranian drones and missiles have targeted merchant ships and regional oil infrastructure, killing at least seven mariners, according to the International Maritime Organisation. These actions have effectively stopped tanker traffic, causing oil prices to spike briefly to nearly $120 per barrel—the highest since 2022—before retreating toward $90 amid market hopes for a swift resolution.
In a phone interview with CBS News, Trump described the US military campaign as "very complete, pretty much", claiming Iran has lost its navy, air force, communications, and most missile and drone capabilities after more than 5,000 targets were struck in the opening week. He asserted that Iran's military is decimated and warned that any attempt to further inhibit the strait would lead to the "end of that country", with the US responding overwhelmingly. Trump later posted on social media that Iran would be hit "TWENTY TIMES HARDER" if it stops oil flows, while suggesting the conflict is a "short-term excursion" ahead of schedule.
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The threats follow Iran's appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—who was killed in early strikes—as the new Supreme Leader. The selection has projected defiance amid the war, with large crowds rallying in support and Iranian officials insisting Tehran, not Washington, will dictate the conflict's end. Trump's comments also included optimism that the strait remains open for some ships, though maritime data shows a near-total collapse in transits.
Global markets reacted volatilely, with US stocks swinging from steep losses to gains on hopes the war may conclude soon. The disruption has choked major oil and gas supplies, driving up fuel prices in the US and prompting evacuations from business hubs as strikes hit military bases, government facilities, oil installations, hotels, and civilian sites, including a school. Trump held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where ideas for a quick diplomatic settlement were reportedly exchanged following Putin's talks with Gulf leaders and Iran's president.
The situation underscores the high stakes for global energy security, with the US exploring naval escorts and political risk insurance for tankers to reopen the strait, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards have challenged such moves and vowed continued resistance. As the conflict enters its second week, Trump's blend of confidence in military progress and severe warnings highlights efforts to deter escalation while addressing economic pressures from soaring energy costs.
Also Read: UK Maritime Office Reports Hormuz Closure as US-Israel Strikes Kill Iran's Top Military Chiefs
