Strait of Hormuz could be a ‘Strait of defeat’ for U.S.: Larijani

Iran’s Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani responded to U.S. President Trump’s threat of hitting Iran “20 times harder” if the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is stopped, saying the chokepoint could be a “Strait of defeat” for the U.S.

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“Strait of Hormuz will either be a Strait of peace and prosperity for all or will be a Strait of defeat and suffering for warmongers.” Mr. Larijani posted in social media in English, Arabic, Persian, Mandarin, Russian and French.

He had earlier reposted Mr. Trump’s post, saying “the Iranian people do not fear your hollow threats; for those greater than you have failed to erase it… So beware lest you be the ones to vanish.”

Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump threatened Iran with “death, fire and fury”.

“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. 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,” Mr. Trump wrote in a post. “But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait,” he added.

About 20–21 million barrels of oil move through the strait every day. Around 20% of global LNG trade also passes through the strait, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf Oman that joins the Arabian Sea. Traffic through the strait has been disrupted since the U.S. and Israel started the war on February 28.