Washington (IANS): The United States has warned Iran not to disrupt oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the US would respond with overwhelming force if Iran tried to block the critical global energy route.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the warning while briefing the media about the ongoing military campaign against Iran.
He said President Donald Trump is ready to take strong action if Tehran interferes with the flow of oil through the strait.
“If Iran does anything to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States will respond much harder,” Hegseth said. He added that “death, fire and fury will rain upon them” if the route is blocked.
Update on US Military Operation
Hegseth spoke alongside Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while giving an update on the US military campaign called Operation Epic Fury.
According to officials, the operation targets Iran’s missile systems, naval capabilities and military-industrial infrastructure.
Caine said US forces have already struck more than 5,000 targets during the operation.
He also claimed that Iranian ballistic missile attacks have dropped by about 90 per cent since the campaign began. In addition, one-way attack drone launches have fallen by 83 per cent.
US Reviews Options to Protect Ships
Meanwhile, the US military is reviewing options to protect commercial ships in the region if needed.
Caine said the military will evaluate available resources, command structures and possible risks before presenting recommendations to the defence secretary and the president.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
It is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. A large share of global crude exports passes through this narrow waterway.
Therefore, any disruption in the strait could push global energy prices higher. Countries that import large amounts of oil, including India, closely monitor developments in the region.
