Trump warns Iran would be ‘blown off the face of the Earth’ if US vessels attacked

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran Monday, saying the country would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it targets US vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz under what the administration is calling “Project Freedom,” as US Navy guided-missile destroyers moved into the Gulf to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping.

“If the Iranians try to target U.S. ships in this area, they will be blown off the face of the earth,” Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst said, relaying Trump’s words from a 20-minute conversation with the president.

Trump also told Fox News that Iran is being “more malleable” than before and that the U.S. military buildup in the region is continuing.

“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before. 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 said.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that guided-missile destroyers had transited the Strait of Hormuz and are currently operating in the Gulf in support of Project Freedom, aimed at restoring safe passage for commercial vessels.

Trump separately called on South Korea to join the maritime mission after an explosion and fire damaged the Panama-flagged container vessel HMM Namu while it was anchored off the United Arab Emirates.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident occurred at 1140 GMT. “Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, noting that Iran had targeted vessels from nations with no involvement in the conflict and that no other damage had been reported in the strait beyond the South Korean ship.