Trump warns Iran over oil supply threat: 'Will not allow the regime to hold the world hostage'

DORAL, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump on Monday, March 9, addressed reporters at a press conference about the impact of the Iran strikes on global oil supply as the United States entered the second week of its military operation in Iran. 

The US and Israel launched a joint operation on February 28 targeting Iran’s military and political establishment, with one of the key objectives being to reduce the threat from Iran’s nuclear program. During the briefing, the POTUS also discussed the progress of the operation and questions surrounding a deadly strike at an Iranian girls’ school.

Trump on Iran operation and global oil supply

Trump said the US military and the Israeli Defense Forces had continued "Operation Epic Fury" over the weekend and described it as highly successful. “Over the past nine days, we've carried out some of the most powerful and complex military strikes and maneuvers the world has ever seen,” he said.

According to the Republican leader, the campaign is "achieving major strides toward completing our military objective. And some people could say they're pretty well complete.” He also focused on global energy security during the press conference, saying, "As we continue Operation Epic Fury, we're also focused on keeping energy and oil flowing to the world."

Trump futher warned: "And I will not allow a te**orist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply."

Trump asserted that if Iran attempts to interfere with the supply, the response would be severe: “If Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level."

Iran has warned it may “set fire” to any vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest oil shipping route. Roughly 20% of global oil and gas supplies typically transit through the narrow shipping lane in the Gulf. Iran’s General Sardar Jabbari even said Tehran will “not let a single drop of oil leave the region.”

He also said the Strait of Hormuz would remain secure, noting the presence of US naval forces in the region, “We have a lot of Navy ships there. We have the best equipment in the world inspecting for mines,” he said, adding that many Iranian ships were already destroyed.

About oil and gas prices, Trump claimed that the price spike affects other countries more than the US: “It doesn't really affect us.”

Trump on striking critical infrastructure and Minab school strike claims

Trump also said the US has begun targeting Iranian drone facilities, along with locations where Iranian missiles are manufactured and delivered. However, Trump said the US has held off attacking “some of the most important targets,” including electricity production sites in Iran.

He continued, “So we're not looking to do that if we don't have to,” adding that such targets are “very easy to hit, but very devastating if they are hit. We could take them all out in one day.”

Trump brushed off questions about whether the US was responsible for an air strike that reportedly killed more than 150 people at an Iranian girls’ school. Evidence, including video footage, suggests the building was destroyed by an American Tomahawk missile.

The commander-in-chief said he had not seen the video and suggested it could have been Iran’s or another country’s missile, noting that Tomahawks are “very generic” and sold to other countries, though Iran is not known to have them.

If investigators conclude the US was responsible, Trump said, “I'm willing to live with that report.”