Donald Trump has warned that Iran could be “blown off the face of the earth” if US vessels are attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region continue to escalate. The former president, who is currently leading in opinion polls for the upcoming election, made the remarks during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trump’s Claims and Iranian Denials
Trump also claimed that US forces had destroyed seven small Iranian boats in the Strait, a claim that Tehran vehemently denied. Iranian state media dismissed the assertion as “baseless propaganda” aimed at distracting from what they describe as American aggression in the region.
US Central Command Rejects Iranian Missile Allegations
In a separate development, US Central Command denied Iranian claims that two Iranian missiles had struck a US warship intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came after Iranian officials boasted of a successful strike on a US vessel, which they said was attempting to violate Iranian territorial waters.
Ceasefire Status Uncertain
Trump has declined to confirm whether the US ceasefire with Iran is still in effect. The ceasefire, which was brokered last year, had temporarily de-escalated tensions between the two nations. However, recent events have cast doubt on its durability, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Iranian Warning: ‘Not Even Begun Yet’
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, has described the ongoing crisis in the Strait as “intolerable” for the US and warned that Iran had “not even begun yet” in terms of its response. Ghalibaf’s comments signal that Tehran is prepared to escalate further if necessary, raising fears of a full-scale military confrontation.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, remains a flashpoint. The US Navy has reinforced its presence in the region, with Super Hornets launching from the USS Abraham Lincoln as part of an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The situation remains fluid, with international observers urging restraint from both sides.
