Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz intensified after US President Donald Trump issued a series of stark warnings to Iran, threatening massive retaliation should the country attempt to block the critical maritime passage.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that any attempt by Iran to disrupt oil flows through the strait would trigger an overwhelming response from the United States.
“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,” the president wrote.
He added that American forces could target what he described as “easily destroyable” assets, warning that “death, fire and fury will reign upon them.”
Trump also described the continued openness of the strait as a strategic benefit for global energy consumers, calling it “a gift from the United States to China and other nations that heavily rely on the Hormuz Strait.”
Despite these statements, the global shipping industry is already treating the strait as effectively closed due to the escalating security risks and sharply rising war-risk insurance premiums.
Although the waterway remains technically open under international law, very few vessels are currently willing to transit the corridor.
According to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JIMC), only one confirmed commercial vessel transit was recorded on March 8. There have also been reports of a limited number of ships — including tankers linked to Greek operator Dynacom — passing through the strait with their AIS tracking systems switched off.
In a separate interview with CBS, Trump described the war against Iran as “very complete”, while also suggesting that the United States could consider taking control of the strategic waterway if necessary.
His comments stand in sharp contrast with warnings from maritime organisations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which have expressed deep concern about the safety of seafarers operating in the region.
Trump, however, urged tanker crews not to avoid the route, stating that vessels should “show some guts” and transit the strait despite the risks.
