Iran will be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks U.S. vessels – Trump

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, declaring that the country would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks United States vessels, as tensions escalate around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said Washington would respond with overwhelming force to any aggression against its naval assets during what he described as “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at safeguarding global shipping routes.

The US president insisted that Iran had shown signs of flexibility in ongoing peace efforts but maintained that America’s military superiority remained decisive.

“We have far better equipment and capabilities,” he said, while suggesting that diplomatic engagements were continuing behind the scenes.

Trump’s latest remarks followed claims he made on Truth Social that US forces had engaged Iranian assets in the Gulf, including striking seven “small boats.”

He also said American troops had intercepted drones and missiles allegedly launched by Iranian forces.

According to the president, the military action formed part of a broader effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

He said multiple countries had appealed to Washington to ensure the free passage of commercial vessels reportedly disrupted by rising hostilities.

The United States Navy has long maintained a presence in the Gulf to deter threats to maritime security, particularly in the Strait, where previous confrontations between US and Iranian forces have heightened fears of wider conflict.

Iran has historically rejected US accusations of disrupting shipping lanes, insisting its activities in the region are defensive.

However, the latest exchange of threats underscores growing volatility in the Gulf, with analysts warning that any miscalculation could trigger a broader military escalation.