Trump Threatens Iran: Strait of Hormuz, Attacks & Escalating Conflict
US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, threatening the destruction of its energy facilities if it does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport. The threat, delivered via Trump’s platform Truth Social, was met with a swift warning of retaliation from Tehran.
According to reports from ZDF Heute and Tagesschau, Trump stated the US would attack and destroy Iranian power plants, “starting with the largest,” should Iran fail to comply. The Iranian military responded, as reported by Fars News Agency, stating it would target all energy infrastructure and desalination plants with ties to the US throughout the Gulf region if its own facilities were attacked.
The Strait of Hormuz, situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, has develop into a focal point of escalating tensions following American and Israeli attacks within Iran in recent weeks. Shipping traffic through the strait has reportedly ground to a halt, according to Tagesschau. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to attack passing ships in response to the attacks.
Simultaneously, Israel reported over 100 injuries Saturday evening resulting from Iranian rocket attacks on the southern cities of Dimona, and Arad. Eleven individuals were seriously wounded, and significant damage was reported. Israeli air defenses reportedly failed to intercept at least two rockets, according to the Times of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the evening as “a exceptionally difficult evening in our fight for our future.”
Iranian state media claimed the attacks targeted an Israeli nuclear research facility near Dimona and Arad. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on X (formerly Twitter) that there were no indications of damage to the Negev Nuclear Research Center and that no unusual radiation levels had been detected, according to reports.
The attacks on Israel were reportedly in retaliation for an attack on Iran’s uranium enrichment facility in Natanz earlier in the day. Iran has blamed both the US and Israel for the Natanz attack, though the Israeli army has denied involvement. Notably, Iran also launched two rockets toward the US-British base at Diego Garcia, a distance of approximately 4,000 kilometers from the Iranian coast – exceeding the previously acknowledged range of Iranian missiles, according to reports.
Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert quoted by the Wall Street Journal, noted that the escalation suggests a shift away from the restraint previously exercised by the late Revolutionary Guard leader Ali Khamenei. “This restraint is no longer guaranteed,” Citrinowicz stated.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have both pledged to continue attacks against Iran. Netanyahu stated the intent to “continue attacking our enemies on all fronts,” while Katz vowed to “decapitate” Iranian commanders and destroy its strategic capabilities “until every security threat to the State of Israel and the interests of the USA in the region is removed.”
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir indicated the conflict is “halfway” through, suggesting continued operations even during the upcoming Passover holiday, which begins on April 1st.