Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (around 3 a.m. local time in Greece), stating that any attempt to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would trigger U.S. military responses up to 20 times more forceful than any actions taken to date.
‘Death, Fire, and Fury’ Warning
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that the United States could easily destroy vulnerable Iranian targets—rendering the country’s reconstruction as a nation nearly impossible. He added: “Death, Fire, and Fury will reign over them.” At the same time, he emphasized that he hopes and prays such measures won’t be necessary.
A Message for Global Partners
Trump framed the warning as a gesture of goodwill—not only toward Iran, but also toward China and other nations heavily reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for energy trade. He described it as a signal intended to reassure international markets and governments dependent on secure maritime passage in the region.
Concern Over Iran’s New Supreme Leader
Earlier during a press conference in Florida, Trump expressed disappointment over Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader. “We believe this will lead to more similar problems for the country,” he told reporters. When asked whether the new leader is a target, Trump declined to answer directly, calling such a statement “inappropriate.”
Praising ‘Operation Epic Fury’
Trump referred to the U.S.-led campaign against Iran—codenamed ‘Operation Epic Fury’—as “one of the most complex and impressive operations ever conducted,” describing it as a “short trip.” He claimed the operation, launched on February 28, prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon within two weeks—a development he said would have placed the world in a dramatically different position.
“Together with our Israeli partners, we are crushing the enemy and demonstrating our technical superiority and military strength,” Trump stated. He added: “The world respects us more now than it ever has before,” praising the U.S. military as “a force unlike any other.”