Former President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, demanding Tehran restore full access to the Strait of Hormuz within two days or face devastating attacks on its electrical infrastructure.
The ultimatum comes as Iran maintains its partial blockade of the vital waterway, which handles approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. Oil markets have seen price increases due to the ongoing disruption of this crucial shipping lane.
Iran has countered with its own threats, warning it would strike American infrastructure throughout the Gulf region, including energy installations.
The standoff has intensified as Tehran has broadened its military operations across the Gulf, conducting air strikes that have damaged important energy infrastructure and disrupted petroleum operations in several nations. Iranian forces have also attacked American military installations in the area, hitting U.S. personnel as part of the growing conflict.
International opposition to Iran’s actions has grown significantly, with Australia and the United Arab Emirates adding their names Saturday to a condemnation signed by 20 other nations. The diplomatic coalition now includes 22 countries total, featuring major powers such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea.
The current crisis stems from ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel. An Iranian missile struck the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa on Friday, causing harm to what officials described as “exterior infrastructure belonging to a third party, which is essential to the [refinery’s] activities, located outside the refinery site.”
Tehran launched further missile attacks on Saturday, wounding at least 100 individuals in the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad. Iranian officials characterized these strikes as payback for Israeli military actions against Iran’s nuclear program facilities.
