United States President Donald Trump has given Iran an additional 24-hour extension to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that failure to do so could result in severe strikes on the country’s vital infrastructure. Trump, through a post on his Truth Social platform, set the deadline for Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time without providing further specifics.
Initially, Trump had set a five-day deadline, which was later extended by ten days and then once again postponed just before its expiration. In a strongly-worded message, Trump demanded Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway responsible for a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas transportation, which has been mostly closed following a joint offensive by the US and Israel against Tehran five weeks ago.
Referring to Tuesday as “Power Plant Day and Bridge Day” for Iran, Trump threatened to target the country’s energy and transportation infrastructure if the Strait remains shut. The United States has put Iran on notice to comply with reopening the Hormuz waterway or face significant military strikes on critical facilities. Trump’s recent rhetoric has become more aggressive, warning of extensive destruction if talks collapse.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump stated, “If they don’t come through, if they want to keep it closed, they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country.” The President also issued a warning to Iran to open the Hormuz within 48 hours, emphasizing the consequences if they fail to act.
Iran has vowed to retaliate sternly, with its joint military command indicating an escalation in attacks on oil facilities and civilian infrastructure across the region if the US and Israel target similar sites within Iran. Tehran has already targeted infrastructure in neighboring Gulf Arab states and has threatened to disrupt another critical shipping route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Arabian Peninsula.
Both sides have engaged in attacks on civilian-related locations, including oil fields and desalination plants. Iran’s mission to the United Nations has labeled Trump’s warning as “clear evidence of intent to commit a war crime.”