President Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, demanding the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or facing devastating strikes on its power grid. In a post on Truth Social from Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, he warned that unless Tehran complies, the US military would 'obliterate' Iranian power plants, starting with the largest.
Iranian officials swiftly responded, vowing to retaliate by targeting US energy and desalination infrastructure in the region if the threat is carried out, according to state media. The strait, through which 20% of the world's oil flows, has been effectively blockaded by Iran since the outbreak of war last month, bringing traffic to a halt.
The blockade has driven oil prices above $100 a barrel multiple times in recent weeks, with diesel surpassing $5 a gallon. Experts have warned that rising fuel costs could soon push up prices for groceries, shipping and construction.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump criticised NATO allies for declining to assist in securing the waterway, branding them cowardly. He also refused to comment on reports that he is considering deploying troops to dismantle the blockade, and insisted the strait was of little strategic importance to the US, claiming it would eventually 'open itself'. He dismissed concerns over rising fuel costs as 'a very small price to pay' for global security.
The conflict, launched jointly by the US and Israel on February 28, has now entered its fourth week, engulfing the Middle East in violence. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the US had struck over 7,000 targets inside Iran, declaring 'we’re winning decisively'. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Casualties include at least 1,500 Iranians and 13 US service members.
Trump has offered mixed signals on the war's timeline, telling Fox News it would end when he 'feels it in his bones', later saying he was considering 'winding down', and then stating 'we are weeks ahead of schedule'. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds, and 2,200 Marines are en route to the region. Recent polls show a majority of Americans oppose the war, with 53% against US military action in Iran in a Quinnipiac survey.
