‘Blown Off The Face Of Earth’: Trump Warns Iran Over Hormuz Shipping, Tehran Hits Back

Last Updated:May 05, 2026, 10:34 IST

Earlier this week, the US navy has started a mission, called Project Freedom under which it will guide foreign stranded ships to safety through the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran War: Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) warned that Tehran will be “blown off the face of the Earth" if they attack US vessels escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

While speaking to Fox News, the US President said that the US military installations around the world were fully equipped and prepared to tackle the Iranian threat.

“We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it," he told the news outlet.

Trump’s statement came after the US military announced it had confronted Iranian forces in and around the strategic waterway during the launch of “Project Freedom," a US-led mission to secure and reopen global shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), said Iran launched cruise missiles, drones and small boats toward civilian vessels under US protection.

According to Cooper, US military helicopters sank six Iranian boats threatening commercial shipping.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also claimed that Iran had attacked commercial vessels, including a South Korean cargo ship, moving under American protection.

“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship," Trump said.

Trump further claimed that US forces had destroyed seven Iranian “fast boats."

“We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, ‘fast’ Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, will have a News Conference tomorrow (Tuesday) morning," he added.

Trump also indicated a shift in Iran’s negotiating position, saying Tehran had become “much more malleable," while stressing that US military deployments in the region remain ongoing.

Iran Responds

Meanwhile, Iran has cautioned the United States and the United Arab Emirates against being drawn into a “quagmire," with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz show there is no military solution to a political crisis.

He also junked Trump’s “Project Freedom" proposal to guide merchant ships out of Hormuz, saying, “Project Freedom is Project Deadlock."

“Events in Hormuz make clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis. As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the US should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE," he said in a post on X.

What is Project Freedom?

Earlier this week, the US navy has started a mission, called Project Freedom under which it will guide foreign stranded ships to safety through the Strait of Hormuz. It also warned Iran that any interference in the process would be dealt with forcefully.

US military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea route between Oman and Iran that transports one-fifth of the global oil supplies, has been effectively closed since February 28, when the US and Israel launched the war with Iran.

The US has also imposed an economic blockade targeted at Iran by denying any ships to transit to and from ports of the Persian gulf nation.

News world ‘Blown Off The Face Of Earth’: Trump Warns Iran Over Hormuz Shipping, Tehran Hits Back

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