US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
In a post on Truth Social early Sunday, Trump warned: "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!"
However, in a statement reported by Iranian media on Sunday, Tehran’s representative to the UN maritime agency Ali Mousavi stressed that the highly strategic waterway was open to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran’s enemies" .
Trump’s ultimatum came shortly after another post in which the US President claimed Washington had "blown Iran off of the map", adding: "Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defence, and they want to make a deal. I don’t!"
Trump has previously said Washington had refrained from targeting Iran’s oil and electricity infrastructure to avoid long-term damage, noting that repairs could take years.
However, last week he stated that the US could disable Iran’s power stations within an hour, but that he “prefers to wait.”
Tehran has responded with its own threats.
On Sunday, Iran’s military warned it would target energy infrastructure and desalination plants across the region if the US attacks Iranian facilities.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement that any strike on Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against US-linked energy, IT, and water facilities in the region. Iranian strikes hit Gulf states and Israel Iran has continued missile and drone attacks across the region overnight, targeting Gulf states and Israel. Saudi officials said three ballistic missiles were fired towards the Riyadh area, with one intercepted and two landing in open areas.
In the United Arab Emirates , air defence systems were activated in response to incoming missile and drone threats, with authorities saying the sound of explosions heard were due to interceptions.
In Israel, Iranian missile strikes on southern cities including Arad and Dimona injured more than 150 people, with at least 11 reported in serious condition.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were no reports of damage to the Negev Nuclear Research Center or abnormal radiation levels to its surroundings following the strike on Dimona, which is home to a sensitive nuclear facility.
Iran said the barrage was in retaliation for earlier US strikes on its Natanz nuclear site, underscoring the intensifying cycle of attacks between the two sides.