US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks US vessels operating under what Washington has described as “Project Freedom,” according to remarks shared with Fox News on Monday, The Caspian Post reports.

Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst said he spoke with Trump for around 20 minutes regarding the situation with Iran. During the conversation, Trump reportedly referenced “Project Freedom,” a US effort aimed at guiding vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and issued a strong warning to Tehran.

According to Yingst, Trump stated that if Iranian forces attempt to target US ships in the region, they would be “blown off the face of the earth.” The comments reflect heightened tensions surrounding maritime security in the strategically vital waterway.

Earlier on Monday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US Navy guided-missile destroyers were actively operating in the Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Their deployment is part of “Project Freedom,” which CENTCOM says is intended to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the strait.