Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz, Raising Fears of Escalation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face potential strikes on its power infrastructure. The escalating rhetoric has sparked international concern and raised the specter of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Trump vowed to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if navigation through the vital shipping lane remains blocked, according to statements released Saturday. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, did not rule out potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, specifically mentioning the Bushehr nuclear power plant, when questioned by CBS News on Sunday.
“I would never take anything off the table for the president, certainly not on national television,” Waltz stated, adding that other gas-fired and thermal-powered plants across Iran could also be considered targets.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, is crucial for global oil supplies. Any disruption to traffic through the strait could have significant economic consequences worldwide.
Iran has responded to Trump’s threats with warnings of its own, stating it would strike water and energy facilities in Israel and Gulf states if its energy sites are attacked. The Iranian army has also declared it would close the Strait of Hormuz to all ships – not just those belonging to adversaries – should its facilities be targeted.
The Bushehr plant, constructed with Russian assistance and operational since 2011, has a capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatts. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported a projectile struck an area near the plant, a breach of key safety principles, and was condemned by Russia’s state nuclear power plant operator, Rosatom.
The situation remains fluid, with the 48-hour deadline rapidly approaching. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Labour leader Keir Starmer reportedly discussed the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing regional strikes, according to the BBC. The U.S. strategy has been described as erratic, raising questions about preparedness for potential military action.
