Trump warns Iran it will be ‘blown off the face of the earth’ if US ships are attacked in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran that it will be "blown off the face of the earth" if it attacks American vessels trying to reopen a route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News on May 5, where he described the ongoing naval attempt as "one of the greatest military manoeuvres ever done".

Trump also said he believes that Iran had become "much more malleable" in negotiations.

This follows a day of escalating tensions after the U.S. launched the "Project Freedom" operation on May 4, with the U.S. Navy escorting ships out of the strait, reported the BBC.

According to The Guardian, over 800 ships and around 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the region.

'Project Freedom'

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, through "Project Freedom", the U.S. will guide ships safely out of these restricted waterways "so that they can freely and ably get on with their business".

"This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran."

Trump said the gesture was goodwill and "if, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully".

US Central Command (Centcom) commander Brad Cooper later said the U.S. military sank six Iranian small boats that were targeting civilian vessels, reported the BBC.

According to The Guardian, Iran has denied these claims.

These comments echo statements Trump made on Apr. 7, 2026, where he said, "a whole civilisation will die tonight" if Iran did not make a deal by his deadline.

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