WASHINGTON DC: U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, marking a sharp escalation just a day after he spoke about “winding down” the conflict.
Trump posted on social media: “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 threat has kept most ships from traversing the strait, a critical passage that handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply, raising fears of a global energy shock. The near-closure of the waterway caused European gas prices to spike as much as 35% last week, Reuters reported.
Tensions intensified as Iranian forces reportedly fired long-range missiles for the first time, broadening the conflict’s geographic risk.
Iranian strikes near Israel’s nuclear site injured dozens of people. Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, said Iran launched two ballistic missiles with a 4,000-km (2,500-mile) range at the U.S.-British base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Zamir emphasized that the missiles are not aimed at Israel but can reach European capitals including Berlin, Paris, and Rome.
A source at Britain’s defense ministry noted that the attack occurred before formal authorization was given for U.S. forces to use British bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites, according to Reuters.
The war has claimed more than 2,000 lives, with Iranian strikes killing 15 people in Israel alone. Late Saturday, missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens, including children. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated the targets were “military installations” and security centers.
Israeli Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that Israel’s air defenses were operational but did not intercept the strikes, promising investigations to improve response. The attacks occurred near Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor, about 13 km southeast of Dimona, and several major military sites, including Nevatim Air Base.
“This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said following the strike on Arad, underscoring the escalating regional crisis.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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