Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a high-stakes ultimatum to Tehran, threatening to obliterate Iranian power plants if the military does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
The Truth Social Directive
In a forceful post on Truth Social, President Trump laid out a clear deadline for the Iranian leadership. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS… the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST,” the President declared.
Shifting Responsibility to Global Allies
While issuing the threat, Trump simultaneously urged U.S. allies and major global economies to take the lead in securing the vital shipping route. He argued that since the United States is energy independent, other nations have more at stake in the region.
“We don’t use the Strait, the United States, we don’t need it… Europe needs it, Korea, Japan, China… so they’ll have to get involved,” Trump told reporters. He framed the reopening of the strait as a “simple military maneuver” but noted it requires significant naval volume. He criticized NATO for a lack of “courage” and expressed surprise at the reluctance of Indo-Pacific partners, specifically South Korea and Australia, to take a more active role.
No Ceasefire on the Horizon
Despite mounting international pressure for de-escalation, the White House has flatly rejected calls for a ceasefire. Trump maintained that the U.S. military campaign is nearing its objectives and will not pause while it holds the upper hand.
“You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side… We’re not looking to do that,” Trump stated. He further claimed that Iran’s defensive capabilities have been gutted, asserting that their navy, air force, and anti-aircraft systems are non-existent and that their leadership has been neutralized at every level.
