US President Trump gives Iran a 48-hour deadline for Hormuz Strait actions

US President Donald Trump has issued a statement threatening to attack Iranian power plants if freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is not fully restored within 48 hours. The threat was made on Saturday, as tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate.

According to Trump’s statement, published on Truth Social, the US will target Iran’s “various power plants” starting with the largest one if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened without threat. This comes after Iranian officials stated that they would target all US energy infrastructure in the region if attacked.

The US has been engaged in a military operation in the Middle East since February 28, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump had previously mentioned “winding down” these efforts, but his statement on Saturday suggests a shift towards increased aggression.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of global oil and gas trade, has been severely disrupted since the start of the conflict. Iran claims that the strait is open to all except US and its allies, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that several countries have sought safe passage for their vessels.

The US military has reported that it has degraded Iran’s ability to attack vessels on the strait through a recent strike on an underground facility storing antiship cruise missiles. However, there appears to be a gap between Trump’s stated goals and what the US military claims to have achieved so far.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaging in rhetoric that suggests increased tensions are likely to continue.

Source: Al Jazeera