The Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran since the end of February, has become the target of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Donald Trump, according to the BBC.
“If Iran does not TOTALLY reopen, WITHOUT ANY THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from this precise moment, the United States of America will strike and destroy its various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE!”, the US leader said Saturday evening, in a message posted on his Truth Social platform.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform at 23:44 GMT on March 21, which means Iran has until 23:44 GMT on March 23 (01:44 Romanian time on March 24 and 03:14 in Tehran) to comply with the US president's request.
In peacetime, approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass through this strait, making it essential for global energy supplies.
Several NATO members and other US allies pledged last week to join “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage” through the strait, although they did not provide details on how they would do so. Trump had previously called alliance members “cowards” for not stepping in to help secure the strait.
Iran's reaction
Iran's military responded on Sunday, announcing it would target energy infrastructure and desalination plants in the region if Donald Trump followed through on his threat to destroy the country's power plants.
“If Iran's oil and energy infrastructure is attacked, all energy, information technology and water desalination facilities belonging to the United States and the regime in the region will be targeted,” operational command spokesman Khatam al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by the Fars news agency. The official did not specify which “regime” his statement was referring to.
