President Donald Trump issued a harsh warning to Iran on Monday, declaring that any attempt to disrupt global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would prompt overwhelming military retaliation from the United States. The warning came in a public message posted as tensions remain high following a week of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran that has already severely disrupted maritime traffic in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
Trump laid out what he described as the potential consequences if Iran interferes with oil shipments through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The president wrote:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 10, 2026
“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. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The warning comes as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed dramatically since Operation Epic Fury began. The strategic waterway is widely regarded as one of the most important energy transit routes in the world, serving as a critical passage for oil shipments leaving the Persian Gulf and bound for global markets.
According to ship-tracking data, maritime activity in the strait has nearly halted since the outbreak of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In the weeks leading up to the fighting, more than 153 vessels were transiting the strait each day on average. Oil tankers and container ships accounted for roughly 88 percent of that traffic.
Since March 1, however, only 78 vessels have been detected passing through the waterway, reducing daily traffic to an average of just 13 ships. The sharp decline has raised concerns about disruptions to global energy markets and supply chains, particularly for countries that rely heavily on oil imports from the region.
The slowdown followed a series of strikes that targeted Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure. Shortly after the initial round of airstrikes, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several senior political and military officials, remaining Iranian leadership signaled that retaliation could include targeting regional energy infrastructure and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
BREAKING: IRGC ADVISOR BRIGADIER GENERAL SARDAR EBRAHIM JABBARI SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS CLOSED:
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) March 2, 2026
“Strait of Hormuz is closed. Anyone who wants to pass, our self-sacrificing heroes in the IRGC Navy and the Army will set those ships on fire. Don't come to this region.
The price… pic.twitter.com/k4zQsqgnna
“Strait of Hormuz is closed. Anyone who wants to pass, our self-sacrificing heroes in the IRGC Navy and the Army will set those ships on fire. Don’t come to this region”
On March 2, a senior adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the strait could be attacked. Within 24 hours, at least five commercial ships operating in nearby waters were targeted by drones or missiles, further escalating fears among shipping companies and governments.
The impact has been especially significant for China, which depends heavily on energy imports from the Persian Gulf. Although Chinese officials have called for the strait to remain open to international trade, ship-tracking data indicates that Chinese tanker and container vessels have largely stopped transiting the waterway since the conflict began.
Dozens of Chinese ships are now reported to be trapped inside the Persian Gulf, unable or unwilling to risk the passage through the increasingly volatile corridor. Analysts say the situation highlights Beijing’s limited ability to influence the unfolding conflict, despite its status as one of Iran’s remaining international partners.
With global shipping routes under pressure and energy markets closely watching developments, Trump’s message signals that the United States views any attempt to permanently block the Strait of Hormuz as a red line with potentially devastating military consequences for Iran.