INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 10, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of devastating consequences for Iran if it continues to disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route.
Iran recently announced the closure of the Strait and threatened to attack oil tankers attempting to pass through, halting traffic and driving energy prices higher worldwide. The move is part of Iran’s strategy to pressure the United States and Israel to halt military operations against it.
In a statement posted Tuesday on his Truth Social account, Trump said: “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. Death, fire, and fury will reign upon them.” He added that U.S. strikes would target infrastructure to make it “virtually impossible for Iran to ever be rebuilt as a nation.”
Global oil prices surged above $100 per barrel following Iran’s announcement. However, coordinated releases of strategic reserves by several countries, combined with Trump’s assurance that the war “will soon be over,” helped ease market pressure on Tuesday.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly one‑fifth of global oil supplies passing through daily. Any prolonged disruption could have severe consequences for international markets.
The conflict, now in its second week, has already seen heavy fighting and casualties. It remains unclear how Iran will respond to Trump’s latest warning as tensions continue to escalate.
