March 22, (THEWILL) — United States President, Donald Trump, has issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening to “hit and obliterate” the country’s power plants if it fails to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the Middle East escalate sharply.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform late Saturday, delivered the warning in explicit terms, stating:
“Iran must immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial shipping. If they do not do so within 48 hours, the United States will hit and obliterate their power plants, starting with the biggest one. This is a clear and final warning.”
Earlier, Trump had hinted at a possible de-escalation, writing:
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass, has been severely disrupted by the ongoing hostilities, triggering a sharp spike in global energy prices and heightening fears of a prolonged supply shock.
The ultimatum comes as the war, now in its fourth week, intensifies across multiple fronts. Iran has launched missile strikes on southern Israel, including areas near Dimona, injuring dozens, while Israel has carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets in a cycle of escalating attacks.
In a further sign of escalation, Iran reportedly attempted long-range strikes targeting a joint US-UK military base in Diego Garcia, underscoring its expanding military reach and raising concerns among global powers about the conflict’s trajectory.
Tehran has warned that any attack on its infrastructure would be met with retaliation against US and allied interests in the region, fuelling fears of a broader regional war that could engulf key energy assets and shipping routes.
The crisis has also drawn international concern, with leading economies weighing measures to safeguard global energy supplies and ensure maritime security in the Strait, as markets continue to react to the rapidly evolving situation.
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