Trump warns Iran, gives another 48 hours to reopen Hormuz Strait
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has once again issued an ultimatum to Tehran, demanding that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened within 48 hours, or Iran will face "hell."
"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them," Trump wrote.
Hormuz situation
On March 22, Trump had already given Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy the Islamic state's power plants if it remained closed.
Tehran responded to US threats by promising even broader retaliatory action. Iranian forces warned that if Washington carried out such strikes, they would target US energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure in the region.
Iran initially blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, triggering a global oil crisis and driving fuel prices higher. Gasoline prices in the United States also spiked, prompting Washington to push for reopening the strait, as the blockade could influence the upcoming US elections and the Republican Party's standing.
At the time, Trump even called on NATO allies to help reopen the strait, but they refused, angering the president and prompting further threats of a US withdrawal from NATO.
Tehran also claimed in its defense that the Strait of Hormuz remained open, but only to vessels from countries not hostile to Iran. Last week, Iran agreed to allow passage for 20 ships flying the Pakistani flag.
