President Trump on Saturday issued a blistering ultimatum to Iran, warning that it has 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face US strikes that would “obliterate” its vital energy infrastructure.
“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!” the president fumed on Truth Social.
Trump gave Iran the ultimatum on Saturday. REUTERS
Iran has effectively closed the crucial waterway — responsible for a fifth of the world’s oil exports — since Trump launched the joint US-Israeli attack on the country on Feb. 28.
The closure has sent global fuel prices soaring — with Brent crude remaining above $100 per barrel on Friday — up from around $70 a month ago.
Tehran has vowed to use the surging oil prices as a strategic point of pressure against the US and Israel.
Iran responded to Trump’s threat Sunday by saying any such attack would draw a strong response.
“If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy and information technology infrastructure and desalination plants belonging to the United States and the Israeli entity in the region will be targeted,” a statement from the regime said.
Trump’s stark warning came after he raged in a separate post that the US has “blown Iran off of the map.”
He claimed the escalating conflict was progressing “weeks ahead of schedule” while bashing the New York Times for reporting otherwise.
Smoke rising after an airstrike in Tehran on March 17, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
An image released by US Central Command on March 20, 2026 showing a US strike on an Iranian facility in Haji Abad. via REUTERS
“The United States has blown Iran off the map, and yet their lightweight analyst, David Sanger, says that I haven’t met my own goals. Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don’t! We are weeks ahead of schedule. Just like their incompetent Election coverage of me, The Failing new York Times always gets it wrong.”
Follow The Post’s coverage of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran:
Trump on Friday told reporters he’s not interested in a potential cease-fire with Iran, contending that the damage in the country is so severe that it will take a decade to rebuild.
He slammed Iran for “clogging up the strait” and NATO for not having the “courage” to help reopen it.
Trump said he has not ruled out ordering troops to storm Iran’s coast to secure the Strait of Hormuz or take Kharg Island.
With Post Wires