Iran military chief threatens to 'break Donald Trump’s legs' over 'major mistake'
Iran military chief threatens to 'break Donald Trump’s legs' over 'major mistake' The chilling threat comes following anothe weekend of escalating US-Iran tensions. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Lauran O'Toole , Senior Reporter 10:53, Mon, Aug 17, 2026 Updated: 11:36, Mon, Aug 17, 2026 Donald Trump was issued a chilling threat from a top Iranian general (Image: Getty) A top Iranian military chief has chillingly threated to break Donald Trump's legs after accusing the US President of making a "major mistake". On Friday, the 80-year-old US leader threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz “a territory of the United States,” as peace talks with Iran remained deadlocked and the 60-day US-Iran ceasefire expires today. Speaking to a cheering crowd at a police academy on Long Island, New York, on Friday, the US president said he would “pretty soon” designate the crucial waterway where about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies typically pass. Responding to his claims, major general Amir Hatami said: “Joking about such remarks is a major mistake, because this is Iran, and it has defenders who will break your legs,” according to Iranian broadcaster IRIB. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest news from around the world and more Subscribe Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Trump threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz 'a territory of the United States' (Image: Getty) Russia gives UK 'three day' nuclear annihilation warning as WW3 fears explode Mount Etna eruption LIVE: Sicily volcano alert sparks flight chaos at Catania Airport Read next He added US forces had been "effectively driven out" and would no longer be permitted to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz. Hatami also claimed US military bases would not be allowed to return to their previous status. "Iran will never allow this", he said. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, also responded to Trump's outlandish claims that Tehran would not be intimidated by the US and they would control when the strait of Hormuz is open or closed. On June 17, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding, pledging to a 60-day ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT However, 60 days later, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The 60-day US-Iran ceasefire expires today (Image: Getty) Over the weekend traffic through the strait nearly came to a standstill following attacks on tankers with only five commodity vessels passed through the strategic waterway on Saturday. None were recorded on Sunday, compared to 31 during the prior weekend. Trump previously has dismissed Iran’s claims to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway as “their usual blather”. Writing on Truth Social, he also said: “Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished. Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades.” Donald Trump Iran Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments