Trump Threatens Iran over Strait as IEA Slams Asia Hoarding
Source: zerohedge.com
TL;DR
- Article covers Trump's threats to Iran over Strait of Hormuz and IEA warnings on Asian fuel hoarding amid oil shock.
- Trump offers amnesty to negotiators but threatens to bomb power plants and bridges by Tuesday if no deal.
- Hoarding worsens global oil crunch despite IEA's 400 million barrel reserve release.
The story at a glance
President Trump told Fox reporter Trey Yingst a US-Iran deal could come by Monday, with amnesty for negotiators, but warned of strikes on Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz stays shut past Tuesday. IEA head Fatih Birol urged countries, especially in Asia, to stop hoarding fuel and imposing export bans as the Gulf oil disruption spreads. This comes as the strait blockage, ongoing since late February, hits Asian refiners hardest and risks doubling April oil losses from March. The IEA has already released 400 million barrels from emergency stocks.[[1]](https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-heads-warns-panic-hoarding-asia-trump-tells-iran-open-fckin-strait)[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/9e47e3b8-fae1-4c1c-b79c-22dda42bc2b1)
Key points
- Trump posted on Truth Social: demands Iran "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards," or face "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day" on Tuesday.[[1]](https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-heads-warns-panic-hoarding-asia-trump-tells-iran-open-fckin-strait)
- In interview with Yingst, Trump said: "If they don't make a deal and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil"; claims US tried arming protesters via Kurds.[[3]](https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892132)[[4]](https://nypost.com/2026/04/05/us-news/trump-makes-new-foul-mouthed-threat-to-iran-open-the-f-in-strait)
- Birol to FT: "I urge all countries not to impose bans or restrictions on exports. It is the worst time when you look at the global oil markets."[[5]](https://www.ft.com/content/9e47e3b8-fae1-4c1c-b79c-22dda42bc2b1?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
- Asia (China implied) restricts gasoline, diesel, jet fuel exports; refiners hoard despite IEA stock release, risking "dramatic" shortages.[[1]](https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-heads-warns-panic-hoarding-asia-trump-tells-iran-open-fckin-strait)
- JPMorgan notes shock spreading from Asia to Africa, Europe, US West Coast; expert Anas Alhajji cites past hoarding examples like Venezuela.
- Strait normally carries 20% of global seaborne oil; current trickle flow fails to ease pressure.[[6]](https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-iran-war-hormuz-closure-oil-shock)
Details and context
The Strait of Hormuz blockage stems from US-Israel strikes on Iran starting late February 2026, slashing Gulf oil/LNG exports—mostly to Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea). IEA calls this the biggest supply shock ever; March saw 8 million bpd lost, April could double that plus LNG hits.[[7]](https://energynews.oedigital.com/energy-markets/2026/03/12/iea-middle-east-conflict-will-cause-the-largest-ever-oil-supply-disruption)
Asia feels it first: countries ration fuel, turn to coal, face black market spikes; China built big pre-war stockpiles from cheap sanctioned oil (Russia, Iran, Venezuela).[[8]](https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/energy-shock-will-make-hoarding-new-normal-2026-03-19)
Birol avoids naming China but targets big refiners; hoarding undoes global reserve efforts, as trade partners suffer knock-on effects.
Trump has shifted timelines before; negotiators talk of "deep" discussions, but Iran rejects ultimatums publicly.
Key quotes
- Trump to Yingst: "If they don't make a deal, and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil."[[1]](https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-heads-warns-panic-hoarding-asia-trump-tells-iran-open-fckin-strait)
- Birol to FT: "Unfortunately, we see that some countries are adding to their existing stocks during our coordinated oil stock release. They are stocking up. This is not helpful."[[1]](https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iea-heads-warns-panic-hoarding-asia-trump-tells-iran-open-fckin-strait)
Why it matters
Strait closure threatens the largest oil supply disruption on record, spiking prices and hitting import-dependent economies. Consumers face higher fuel costs soon, businesses in shipping/refining scramble, investors watch volatile energy stocks. Track US-Iran talks, any strait traffic uptick, or new IEA reserve moves—deal odds uncertain amid threats.