Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the country could be “blown up” if it fails to agree to a new nuclear deal, in an escalation of rhetoric amid renewed tensions in the Gulf.
The US president told Fox News that “if they don’t sign this deal, the whole country is going to get blown up”, in comments that immediately sparked concern over the already fragile regional security situation.
In a separate post on Truth Social, Mr Trump added that “bridges and power plants will be targeted if Iran does not sign this agreement”, further intensifying his warning to Tehran.
The remarks come after reports that Iran quickly reversed a decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which a significant portion of global oil supplies pass.
According to reports, shots were fired at vessels transiting the strait following the reversal, raising fears of disruption to one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a vital route for global energy exports, and any instability in the area has historically sent shockwaves through oil markets.
Mr Trump’s comments are likely to further inflame tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have remained strained over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional military activity.
There has so far been no immediate response from Iranian officials to the president’s latest remarks.
Trump fumed: “Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French Ship, and a Freighter from the United Kingdom.
“That wasn’t nice, was it? My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations.
“Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it.
“They’re helping us without knowing, and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million Dollars a day! The United States loses nothing.
“In fact, many Ships are headed, right now, to the U.S., Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to load up, compliments of the IRGC, always wanting to be ‘the tough guy!’
We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!
“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.
“IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Iran has sharply escalated its rhetoric against Washington, condemning the US blockade of its ports as a “foolish and stupid decision” and demanding its immediate reversal, as tensions continue to mount over the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning comes amid renewed uncertainty over the world’s most strategically important shipping lane, after Tehran swiftly reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions following what it described as continued US pressure.
Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, a senior Iranian negotiator, warned that if the United States does not lift the blockade, “traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will definitely be restricted,” raising fears of renewed disruption to global energy flows.
In a televised address, the speaker of Iran’s parliament confirmed the reversal, signalling a hardening of Tehran’s position after briefly signalling a reopening of the vital maritime route.
The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, is a critical artery for global oil shipments, with a significant proportion of seaborne crude passing through it each day. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway has the potential to trigger volatility in global energy markets.
The latest escalation follows heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over sanctions, maritime security and Iran’s nuclear programme, with both sides trading increasingly uncompromising statements.
It also comes as international concern grows over the risk of miscalculation in the Gulf, where naval activity has increased and commercial shipping has faced intermittent disruption.
There has so far been no independent confirmation of renewed restrictions in the strait, but shipping operators are reported to be closely monitoring the situation.
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