President Donald Trump has escalated his threats against Iran, warning that the country will be “blown off the face of the earth” if its forces attack U.S. vessels guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The comments come as the two nations test a tenuous ceasefire during the weeks-long war.
Latest Incident in the Strait
On Monday, U.S. military officials reported that Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at ships sailing through the passage with U.S. support. Six small Iranian boats were targeting civilian vessels, according to officials. In response, Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that if Iran continues to target those vessels during the so-called Project Freedom escort operation, the country will face obliteration.
Previous Threats
Trump’s latest rhetoric follows last month’s threats that a “whole civilization will die” in Iran “never to be brought back again” if the nation did not agree to a ceasefire deal and reopen the Strait. The effective closure of the waterway has choked off global oil supplies and surged barrel prices.
Social Media Reaction
“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. He suggested South Korea should “come and join the mission.” He added, “We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, ‘fast’ Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait.”
This is a developing story.
