President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States will commence its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and would ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open for a fee. He warns that U.S. forces would hit Iran “very hard” again in the after the two sides exchanged missile and drone attacks.
His statement came after Iran’s announcement during the weekend that it would close the Stratis of Hormuz casting further doubt on an interim deal to halt the war and driving oil prices higher.
“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,” Trump said on Truth Social, and adds that the U.S. would charge a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the strait “as a matter of FAIRNESS”.
Trump says U.S. would conduct further strikes in an interview with Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio host.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” Trump said.
U.S. Central Command said it is continuing its strikes for the third consecutive night on Iran shortly after the broadcast, at his direction. YJC, an Iran semi-official news agency said early on Tuesday that seven explosions were heard in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and two more on Kish Island.
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