Trump Threatens Iran With Attacks on Power Plants, Sparks Alarm in Congress
President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, threatening to strike Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to all vessel traffic, escalating tensions in a region already embroiled in conflict. The threat, delivered via a post on Trump’s Truth Social account, came after Iranian officials signaled a willingness to limit passage through the vital waterway to ships not affiliated with “Iran’s enemies.”
“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!” Trump wrote at 7:44 pm Eastern time, according to Fox News.
The ultimatum follows a period of escalating hostilities, including a recent strike on Iran’s uranium enrichment complex in Natanz, which the Israeli military suggested the U.S. Was responsible for, as reported by the Associated Press. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for global oil supplies – handling roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil – has been significantly restricted since early March, shortly after the start of the war with Iran.
The president’s threat drew immediate condemnation from some Democratic lawmakers. Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.) expressed concern over Trump’s “increasingly erratic behavior,” calling it “a clear and growing threat, not only to the American people but to the world.” Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) characterized the administration as being led by a “maniacal tyrant hell-bent on destroying this country and the world along with it.”
Legal experts too pointed to potential violations of international law. Critics noted that Article 56 of the Geneva Convention prohibits attacks on installations containing dangerous forces, such as power plants, if such attacks could cause severe losses among the civilian population. The Independent reported that the price of oil has surged past $100 a barrel multiple times in recent weeks due to the disruptions in shipping.
Iran responded to Trump’s ultimatum with a warning of its own. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s Parliament, stated that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would be met with retaliatory strikes on critical infrastructure and energy facilities throughout the region, potentially leading to sustained high oil prices.
The escalating rhetoric comes as tensions remain high following recent missile strikes. According to the Associated Press, Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, causing damage and injuries. Israel’s military acknowledged its air defense systems failed to intercept the missiles, which targeted areas near its main nuclear research center.
While Trump has publicly criticized NATO for not assisting in securing the Strait of Hormuz, calling their lack of support a lack of “courage,” he also suggested the waterway is not strategically important to the U.S., claiming it would eventually “open itself,” as reported by PBS. The 48-hour deadline set by Trump is rapidly approaching, leaving the region on edge and the prospect of further escalation looming.