- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:18 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
United States President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran, giving it 48 hours to lift the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical oil transit routes. Posting on Truth Social, Trump warned that failure to fully reopen the passage within the deadline would lead to US strikes targeting Iran’s power plants.
"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on his social media handle Truth Social at 5:14 am (IST).
Trump's statement comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East region, which has posed a serious threat to global energy supply and security. Trump concluded his message with a stern tone, writing, "Thank you for your attention to this matter."
ALSO READ: Trump Suggests 'Winding Down' While Israel Vows Escalation; What’s Next In Iran War?
Iranian military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya responded to Trump's threat and said that Iran will target the energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime
"Following previous warnings, if Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted," the Iranian military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said, as quoted by news agency AFP.
Trump on Saturday stated he might “wind down” operations, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that attacks on Iran will intensify in the coming week.
Israel Katz, speaking at a meeting with top military officers at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, said that strikes against Iran would increase significantly. He stressed that the operations would be carried out jointly by the IDF and US forces, targeting Iranian commanders and military infrastructure. Katz further emphasised that Israel remains committed to weakening Iran’s strategic capabilities. The Times of Israel, quoted Katz as saying: "This week, the intensity of the strikes that the IDF and the US military will carry out against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure it relies on will significantly escalate.”
Israel’s Defence Minister’s statement appears to contradict Trump, who said that the US might begin “winding down” its military operations in the region. Trump indicated that he is not planning to deploy ground troops, while leaving the possibility of other actions. “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East,” he said in a post on Truth Social. On the possibility of sending ground troops, Trump said, "I’m not putting troops anywhere...If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
Netanyahu's Term Coming To An End
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government in Israel is soon completing its four-year term, and general elections are scheduled for October. There is also a possibility that Netanyahu may call for the dissolution of parliament within a few weeks and call for early elections.