Trump Warns Iran, Missiles Strike Near Israeli Nuclear Site as Middle East War Escalates

President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, threatening to “obliterate” its power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened to international shipping. The warning came as Iranian missiles struck areas near Israel’s main nuclear research center, injuring dozens and causing widespread damage, escalating a conflict now entering its fourth week.

Sirens sounded across Israel Sunday morning, signaling a new barrage of incoming missiles from Iran, as residents surveyed the damage in the southern cities of Dimona and Arad. In northern Israel, a civilian was killed by a strike from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, an ally of Iran.

Trump’s ultimatum, delivered Saturday, specifically threatened the destruction of “various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” according to reports. This raises the possibility of targeting facilities such as the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was reportedly struck last week, or the Damavand natural gas plant near Tehran.

In response, Iran warned that any attack on its energy infrastructure would be met with retaliatory strikes against U.S. And Israeli energy and infrastructure assets, including information technology and desalination facilities, Iranian state media reported, citing a statement from an Iranian military spokesperson.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies, has seen disruptions due to attacks on commercial ships and threats of further strikes. This has effectively halted nearly all tanker traffic, leading to cuts in oil production as producers struggle to uncover alternative routes for their crude. Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, stated that navigation through the strait would be permitted for “everyone except enemies,” indicating Iran’s intention to control which vessels are granted passage. Iran has, however, approved passage for ships traveling to China and other Asian destinations.

The Iranian missile strikes targeted areas near Dimona and Arad, with Israel’s military stating it was unable to intercept the projectiles. Dimona is located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the Negev Desert nuclear center, while Arad is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) north. At least 64 people were transported to hospitals following the direct hit in Arad, according to rescue workers. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s Parliament Speaker, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the inability to intercept missiles in the heavily protected Dimona area “is, operationally, a sign of entering a new phase of the battle.”

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, visiting Arad on Sunday, declared Israel was engaged in a “historic battle” against Iran and vowed to continue fighting “until victory.” Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities, neither confirming nor denying their existence. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on X that it had received no reports of damage to the Israeli center or abnormal radiation levels.

The Iranian strikes followed an attack earlier Saturday on Iran’s main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz. Israel denied responsibility for the Natanz attack, and Iranian state news agency Mizan reported no leakage occurred. The IAEA stated it was investigating the strike, noting that the bulk of Iran’s enriched uranium is currently located beneath the rubble at its Isfahan facility. The Pentagon declined to comment on the Natanz strike, which was also targeted in previous conflicts, including a 12-day war last June. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that such strikes posed a “real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.”

The U.S. And Israel have offered varying justifications for the ongoing conflict, ranging from hopes of triggering a regime change in Iran to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs and curbing its support for regional proxies. However, there have been no indications of an uprising within Iran, and internet restrictions are limiting the flow of information from the country.

The conflict’s repercussions are being felt globally, contributing to rising food and fuel prices. Iran’s state broadcaster reported Saturday that the death toll within Iran has surpassed 1,500. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles, and four others have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 U.S. Military personnel have been killed, along with numerous civilians in Gulf nations. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah have resulted in over 1,000 deaths and displaced more than 1 million people, according to the Lebanese government.

A Qatari helicopter crashed in Qatari territorial waters Saturday, resulting in six confirmed deaths – three Qatari forces and three Turkish nationals, including a military officer and two civilians. One Qatari airman remains missing. Qatar’s Defense Ministry attributed the crash to a “technical malfunction.”