Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to open Strait of Hormuz, threatens to 'obliterate' power plants

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has given Iran a stern 48-hour ultimatum to fully open the Strait of Hormuz. Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump warned that if Tehran doesn't fully open the Strait within the stipulated deadline without any threat, the US will attack and destroy various Iranian power plants. He said the attack will begin with the largest plant.

Trump posted this at 5:14 a.m. Indian time, giving Iran until Tuesday morning. He wrote that if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully and safely reopened within 48 hours, the US will take strong military action. This statement comes just a day after Trump called for an end to the war, making this warning seen as a major escalation in the conflict.

In response to Trump's ultimatum, Iran's military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, issued a strong response. Iran warned that if its fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked, it will target all energy, information technology, and desalination facilities of the United States and its allies in the region.

According to news agency AFP, the Iranian military has said that if Iran's energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, there will be a comprehensive response and attacks will be carried out on regional structures.

It is noteworthy that following the joint US-Israeli attacks on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping traffic, particularly to countries involved in the attacks. The strait is vital to global energy supplies, as approximately 20 percent of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it.

This embargo is forcing oil-dependent countries to seek alternative routes and tap their reserves. This has led to a sharp surge in crude oil prices, which threatens to fuel global inflation if the conflict continues for a long time.

Several countries, including Britain, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, have strongly condemned Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This development reflects rising tensions in the Middle East, where the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran is seriously impacting the global energy market. The world is now watching to see whether Iran accepts this ultimatum or whether the situation escalates into a more serious confrontation.