Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Iran against any move to close or disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global maritime route.
Trump said he held overnight talks with Iranian officials and cautioned them not to take any action that would interfere with vessel movement through the strait. Any attempt to obstruct traffic there, he said, would trigger severe consequences.
According to Trump, if a blockade or disruption occurs on the vital shipping corridor, the United States would respond “with full force.” He added that closing the strait would mean Iran “would no longer have a country.”
Trump also said the US could assume direct operational control to protect global shipping lanes. He indicated that transport charges could be imposed on oil cargoes moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
He further stated that, if required, the US would seize the strait and take decisive action against Iran.
