President Donald Trump warned in April 2020 that the U.S. would destroy Iranian ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz [1].

These threats targeted one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, where any military escalation risks a global energy crisis and direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

The statements, reported between April 5 and April 7, 2020 [2], came as a response to Iranian proxy activity in Lebanon and attempts by Iran to charge tolls for vessels using the waterway [3]. Trump said the U.S. would not tolerate extortion or restrictions on shipping for U.S. and allied vessels [3].

"We will destroy any Iranian ships that try to cross the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said [1].

The president's rhetoric shifted between demanding unrestricted shipping and threatening a full blockade of the strategic waterway [4]. This tension follows a history of instability in the region, including the first closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the 1980s [5].

Trump said the U.S. would take control of the waterway to prevent Iranian interference. He said that leaders of countries, especially the United States, would never be extorted [4]. He said that if Iran tried to charge tolls for ships in the Hormuz Strait, the U.S. would not stand for it [3].

The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary maritime link between Oman and Iran, making it a focal point for naval tensions [6]. The U.S. has historically maintained a naval presence in the area to ensure the free flow of commerce, but the 2020 threats signaled a willingness to use lethal force to maintain that access [1].

“"We will destroy any Iranian ships that try to cross the Strait of Hormuz."”

The threats highlight the strategic vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, where the intersection of energy security and geopolitical rivalry creates a high risk of miscalculation. By threatening a blockade or the destruction of naval assets, the U.S. aimed to deter Iranian influence over international shipping lanes and signal that the U.S. considers the free movement of oil a non-negotiable national security interest.