Trump’s Warning: Plans to Return Iran to the Stone Age
March 31, Kathmandu – US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning against Iran during a White House address, triggering a global spike in oil prices. The speech was linked to escalating tensions in Iran. Trump warned of a tough military operation in Iran within the next two to three weeks, stating, “We will hit them very hard,” and threatened to send Iran back to the “Stone Age.” According to reports, before Trump’s address, the benchmark Brent crude oil price hovered around $100 per barrel. After the speech, prices rose approximately 4%, reaching $105.38 per barrel.
It was anticipated that Trump might make a new announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz, but with no fresh updates released, oil prices still climbed. The Strait of Hormuz is critically important to the global economy, as about 20% of the world’s energy trade passes through this narrow maritime route. Since the joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, this passage has been largely blocked due to Iran’s warnings to target ships using the route in retaliation for the airstrikes.
Trump threatened attacks on Iran’s key energy infrastructure if negotiations fail. He warned of severe strikes targeting major power generation centers, saying, “If there is no deal, we will hit all the major electrical plants all at once.” He also clarified that the US has so far refrained from hitting Iran’s oil infrastructure, explaining, “We have not attacked the oil infrastructure because that would eliminate their ability to rebuild.”
Trump claimed that the US military action has caused significant damage to Iran’s military capabilities. “Iran’s navy is finished, the air force is grounded, and missile capabilities are almost destroyed,” he asserted. According to Trump, these operations have seriously impacted Iran’s nuclear program and its capacity to expand regional influence.
Praising Gulf allies, Trump said diplomatic solutions were initially prioritized, accusing Iran of continuing efforts to seek nuclear weapons and rejecting all attempts at an agreement. He commended support from allied nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, stating, “We will not let them fail under any circumstances.” Trump’s remarks indicate that the conflict might soon reach a decisive phase. While diplomatic talks continue, a strong military option remains on the table, directly affecting the Strait of Hormuz, global energy supplies, and oil prices.