Donald Trump

US President Trump on Monday threatened the Iranian regime against halting the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, as gas prices back home rise amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

"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 on his Truth Social platform.

"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 added that his demand is a "gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use" the passageway.

The Strait of Hormuz, which is located between Oman and Iran and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world`s most important chokepoints. In 2024, the equivalent of roughly 20 percent of global petroleum consumption flowed through the passageway, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

But amid the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has closed the strait and threatened vessels attempting to pass through. In the last 24 hours, just two ships have passed through, down significantly from the typical 60 per day, according to hormuzstraitmonitor.com.

That has resulted in energy prices rising across the globe, including in the U.S., less than eight months before the midterm elections, and with an electorate concerned about the cost of living.

The per-barrel price of West Intermediate crude oil, the benchmark for North American markets, is above $86 as of Monday evening.

That has translated to higher gas prices, with the national average price for a gallon of regular gas surpassing $3.47 Monday, nearly $0.50 higher than a week ago and nearly $0.60 higher than a month ago, according to AAA.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on CNN Sunday that "we`re not too long away" from "regular resumption" of traffic through the strait.

"Worst case, that`s a few weeks. That`s not months," he told host Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."