Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh public warning to Iran, saying it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face attacks targeting key electricity generation facilities.
The warning comes amid escalating conflict after the US and Israel launched military action against Iran last month on the 28th, in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed. Iran has since carried out retaliatory strikes aimed at Israel and US military bases in West Asia.
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz—used for international oil tanker traffic—has begun to trigger fuel shortages globally, with petrol and diesel prices rising in multiple markets.
Trump has posted mixed messages on social media in recent days, at one point suggesting the war could be brought to an early end. However, he also sent a warship carrying more than 2,500 troops toward Iran and separately indicated that US economic restrictions on Iran could be eased to help address global crude shortages.
In his latest post, Trump said strikes would begin with Iran’s largest power plants if the strait is not reopened. Iran responded that attacks on power stations, energy and fuel infrastructure would have severe consequences, warning it would target key infrastructure of the US and allied countries in the region, further raising tensions in West Asia.
