President Donald Trump has threatened to inflict “death, fire, and fury” on Iran if the Middle Eastern nation does not release its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to flow again.

The Islamic Republic previously declared the Strait of Hormuz – a vital sea lane for oil exports from countries including Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia – “closed”, warning that they would attack any ships attempting to pass through.

The result, according to The Independent, is that the price of crude oil has risen above $110 a barrel for the first time in three and a half years.

Trump, ever bullish, responded on Truth Social, threatening serious consequences if Iran doesn’t fully re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” the president wrote yesterday, March 9.

“Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!”

Trump finished: “This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Meanwhile, the president gave a press conference yesterday where he stated that the war was “very complete, pretty much”, though he then dodged a reporter’s follow-up question as to whether that meant the conflict may be over this week.

“No but soon. I think soon,” Trump said. “Very soon.”

As per The Guardian, another reporter pressed: “You said the war is ‘very complete’. But your defense secretary says ‘this is just the beginning.’ So which is it?”

“I think you could say both,” Trump vaguely replied, adding: “It’s the beginning of building a new country”.

He continued: “We could call it a tremendous success right now or we could go further. And we’re going to go further.”

“We have won in many ways,” he told Republican allies before the press conference. “But we haven’t won enough.”

The Independent, citing sources, say an estimated 1,245 Iranian civilians and as many as 3,000 Iranian military personnel have been killed in the conflict so far.

Seven U.S. service personnel are also reported to have lost their lives.

What do you make of US involvement in the conflict with Iran? Let us know in the comments.