Trump's Ultimatum to Iran: Open Strait of Hormuz in 48 Hours or Face Power Blackouts

US President Donald Trump has given Iran his latest ultimatum regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has given Iran 48 hours to open the strait, which is crucial for the global economy, or Tehran will face power blackouts.

According to AFP on Sunday (22/3/2026), Donald Trump has given 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.

Since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28 February, Iran has effectively closed the strait in retaliation.

Around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait, and the closure has prompted countries dependent on the shipping route to seek alternative paths 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.

The US military stated earlier on Saturday (21/3) that it had damaged an Iranian bunker storing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement appears designed to calm energy market concerns and sceptical international allies of Washington, more than 20 of which have issued statements pledging support for efforts to reopen the main sea route.