Strait of Hormuz oil shipments: Middle East crisis: Donald Trump threatens to ‘blow everything up and take the oil’ if Iran doesn’t deal

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, saying he would consider “blowing everything up and taking over the oil” if Tehran failed to reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping channel.“I think there’s a good chance tomorrow, they’re negotiating right now. If they don’t make a deal soon, I’m thinking about blowing everything up and taking over the oil,” Trump told a Fox News reporter.

Threats escalate in Strait of Hormuz standoff

The president’s warning comes as tensions in the Middle East erupted after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, disrupting regional stability and global oil markets. Iran has essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz and launched attacks on Israel and its Gulf neighbors, prompting urgent diplomatic action.Trump earlier celebrated the “miraculous” rescue of a seriously injured American pilot from Iran and threatened to attack Iran’s power plants and bridges if the country failed to comply. “Tuesday will be Iran’s Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all rolled into one. It doesn’t get any better than this!!!” he declared on his “Truth Social” platform.“Open the damn strait, you crazy bastards, or you will live in hell – watch! Praise be to Allah,” he added.Iran, meanwhile, claimed to have foiled the rescue operation and spread images of the destroyed plane, but it did not deny that US forces successfully rescued the pilot. US media reported that some transport aircraft involved in the operation were destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.

Regional impact and global attention

The conflict has expanded beyond Iran and the United States, with attacks on critical infrastructure reported in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, and US diplomatic sites in Iraq also targeted. Lebanon has become increasingly involved, with Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut killing several civilians, AFP reported.An attack near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on Saturday killed a guard and prompted Russia, which partially operates the facility, to evacuate 198 workers and condemn the attack as an “evil act.” Iranian officials have warned that further attacks could produce radioactive fallout that could affect Gulf capitals.Meanwhile, life in Tehran appeared largely normal despite threats and strikes, with residents seen picnicking and flying kites near iconic landmarks, highlighting the contrast between political escalation and daily life in the city.