Trump's Ultimatum to Iran: Open the Strait of Hormuz or Live "Without Electricity"

Tensions in the Middle East have intensified once again after US President Donald Trump issued a harsh ultimatum to Iran regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, Trump threatened to “destroy” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not immediately reopen the strait within 48 hours, following his earlier remarks on the possibility of de-escalating the conflict. “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 social media, as quoted by Reuters on Sunday (22/3/2026). Threats of attacks from Iran have prevented most ships from passing through the strait, a narrow waterway serving as a channel for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, threatening a global energy shock. The near-closure of the strait caused European gas prices to surge by up to 35% last week. Trump also accused NATO allies of being cowards for their unwillingness to help open the strait. Some allies said they would consider it, but most stated they were reluctant to join a war started by Trump without consulting them. The threat from Washington was met with a strong response from Tehran. According to AFP, Iran’s military warned it would attack strategic US and allied infrastructure in the region if their energy facilities become targets. “Following previous warnings, if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, all US energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure and those of regimes in the region will become targets,” said Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military operational command in a statement carried by Fars news agency.