US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, warned Iran of severe consequences if it attempts to disrupt oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a strongly worded statement, Trump said that any move by Tehran to block the flow of crude through the key global shipping route would trigger a much stronger response from Washington. “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 Truth Social.The warning came as tensions escalated further after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards signalled a tough response to continued US-Israeli attacks. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tehran would not allow “one litre of oil” to be exported from the region if the strikes continued. In a statement carried by state media, the IRGC also said it would “determine the end of the war”, after Trump earlier said the conflict would end “soon”.
The warning came as Trump indicated that the war with Iran might not last long. Speaking at a press conference in Florida, he said the conflict could conclude shortly, though he did not specify a timeline. “It’s going to be ended soon, and if it starts up again they’ll be hit even harder,” Trump told reporters. The US president also warned Tehran against making provocative moves, saying Washington would respond decisively if Iran tried “anything cute”.Meanwhile, Trump also announced that the United States would temporarily remove certain oil-related sanctions in a bid to ease rising crude prices triggered by the conflict. “We’re also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices,” he said. “We’re going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out.”He further reiterated his warning that any attempt by Iran to block oil supplies would draw a stronger US response. “I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level,” he said.Amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, oil prices are undergoing continous swings, adding pressure on the US administration to address rising fuel costs. The increase has been largely linked to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.Nearly a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through the waterway, and maritime traffic there has slowed sharply since the war began on February 28.Meanwhile, oil prices relaxed as fears of long-lasting supply disruptions eased slightly, with signs that the Middle East conflict could see some diplomatic movement. As of 0018 GMT, Brent crude futures were down $6.51, or 6.6%, to $92.45 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $6.12, or 6.5%, to $88.65.Global benchmark Brent crude briefly crossed the $100-per-barrel mark for the first time in about four years before easing slightly.Trump has maintained that the rise in oil prices will likely be temporary and could ease once the conflict with Iran comes to an end, even as the surge in fuel costs begins to weigh on voters ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections, where economic conditions are expected to play a significant role.
