President Trump warns Iran of “twenty times harder” U.S. retaliation if oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, while global oil markets respond to easing fears of prolonged disruption.

Trump says US to hit Iran 'twenty times harder' if oil flow stops in Strait of Hormuz

President Trump warns Iran of “twenty times harder” U.S. retaliation if oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, while global oil markets respond to easing fears of prolonged disruption.

March 10, 2026

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: 3D-printed oil barrels, an oil pump jack and a map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran appear in this illustration taken March 2, 2026.

Dado Ruvic/Reuters

President Donald Trump warned on Monday (March 9) that the U.S. would hit Iran much harder if Tehran stopped the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

"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," Trump wrote on social media.

"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!"

Oil prices fell on Tuesday (March 10) after hitting their highest level in more than three years in the prior session as Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon, easing concerns about prolonged disruptions to global oil supplies.

Production: Kokkai Ng/Reuters