Iran has rejected threats issued by former United States President Donald Trump, with a senior Iranian security official saying the country will not be intimidated by what he described as “paper threats.”
Ali Larijani, a top security official in Iran, made the remarks in response to Trump’s warning of possible military retaliation if Tehran disrupts global oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X (social media platform) on Tuesday, Larijani said the Iranian people would not be intimidated by threats from the United States.
“The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated,” he wrote.
Trump had earlier warned that Washington would respond decisively if Iran attempted to obstruct oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy supplies.
In a strongly worded message, the former U.S. president issued the following warning:
“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 – 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. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important oil transit routes in the world, linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. A significant portion of the world’s crude oil shipments passes through the narrow waterway, making it a focal point of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
