President Donald Trump has threatened to obliterate Iran's energy infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping route within 48 hours. In response, Iran launched a heavy missile attack on Israel, injuring hundreds, while global oil prices surged past $105 per barrel.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum via Truth Social, giving Iran just 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for normal commercial shipping. Otherwise, the U.S. will "strike and destroy" Iran's power plants, starting with the largest facility first.
The deadline is set for 23:44 UTC on Monday, 23 March, amid escalating tensions after Iran ordered the closure of the strait, a route transporting one-fifth of the world's crude oil. This caused Brent crude oil prices to immediately surge above $105 per barrel.
Just hours before Trump's threat, Iran launched a heavy missile assault on southern Israel. Missiles penetrated air defenses and struck residential buildings in the cities of Arad and Dimona, the site of a major Israeli nuclear facility. The explosions caused over 100 injuries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared retaliation "on all fronts" and later ordered airstrikes on Tehran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the attack was retaliation for Israel's bombing of the Natanz nuclear facility in mid-2025. They warned that if the U.S. acts on its threat, Iran would target the energy infrastructure and oil production systems of the U.S. and its regional allies immediately.
As the conflict enters its fourth week, it has spread throughout the region. Reports indicate Iran attempted intercontinental missile strikes on U.S. and British bases on Diego Garcia Island over 4,000 kilometers away. Though unsuccessful, this represents the longest-range attack to date. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates reported air attacks after Iran warned against allowing its territory to be used as a base for attacks against Iran.
Leaders from several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and South Korea, issued a joint statement condemning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid potential nuclear accidents arising from attacks on nuclear facilities.
Although Iran's current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father who died in the war, analysts believe Tehran's government is more flexible and resilient in its response capabilities than the U.S. anticipated. The world now watches closely to see whether the situation escalates into full-scale war once the 48-hour deadline passes.
. . .AFP