Trump Issues Ultimatum: Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Open Except to Enemies!
US President Donald Trump has given Iran an ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or Tehran’s power grid will be completely shut down. Iran’s representative to the UN maritime body stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all except enemies.
According to CNN on Sunday (22/3/2026), the latest developments in Iran have effectively blocked the narrow strait through which ships carrying 20% of the world’s oil supply usually pass, triggering a surge in fuel prices.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone except ‘enemies’,” said Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), according to the semi-official Mehr news agency, adding that “the safety of ships and their crews requires coordination with Iranian authorities.”
Mousavi stated that Tehran is ready to coordinate with the IMO and other countries to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers. Mousavi emphasised that diplomacy remains Iran’s priority, but “a complete cessation of aggression, mutual trust, and guarantees are more important.”
Since the US and Israel launched war against Iran on 28 February, Iran has effectively closed the strait in retaliation.
About one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait, and the closure has prompted oil-dependent countries to seek alternative routes and utilise reserves.
The disruption of supplies from the Gulf has caused fuel prices to soar worldwide, threatening governments with widespread inflation the longer the war continues.
Trump issued his latest ultimatum to Iran regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump gave Iran 48 hours to open the strait crucial to the global economy or face a blackout in Tehran.
According to AFP on Sunday (22/3), Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure.
“If Iran does not FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREATS, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from now, the United States will attack and destroy various power plants of theirs, STARTING WITH THE LARGEST FIRST!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.