JUST IN; US President Trump gives Iran 48 hours ultimatum to open Hormuz
JUST IN; US President Trump gives Iran 48 hours ultimatum to open Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
Iran immediately vowed to retaliate by striking U.S. and Israeli energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure across the region as two Iranian missiles struck southern Israel in the most destructive attack since the war began.
First responders inspect the site of an Iranian missile strike in Arad early on March 22, 2026.
First responders inspect the site of an Iranian missile strike in Arad early on March 22, 2026.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday at 7:44 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, setting a deadline of approximately 23:44 GMT Monday.
Trump did not specify which plant he was referring to as the largest.
Iran’s largest power plant is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on the Persian Gulf in southwest Iran, which is Iran’s only commercial nuclear power plant.
The ultimatum marked a significant escalation in Trump’s rhetoric.
He had previously told PBS’ Liz Landers he deliberately avoided targeting power plants in Tehran because rebuilding them would take years and cause “trauma” to the civilian population.
