Trump’s Iran Warning & US War Aims Shift | Oil Prices Rise
US President Donald Trump threatened to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, escalating a conflict that has seen direct strikes between Israel and Iran and raised fears of a wider regional war.
The ultimatum, delivered late Monday, came after Iran dismissed calls to fully reopen the vital shipping lane, responding instead by stating it would consider electric plants and water facilities “legitimate targets” should its electrical grid be attacked, according to reports from the New York Times and Iranian state media.
The immediate trigger for the escalating tensions appears to be an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, part of the world’s largest natural gas field, on Wednesday. Iran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar, leading to a spike in energy prices and prompting Trump’s latest threat. The BBC reported that the Israeli strike was coordinated with the United States, a claim Trump disputed, stating on his Truth Social platform that the US “knew nothing about this particular attack.”
Multiple reports from Israeli newspapers contradict Trump’s assertion. Yedioth Ahronoth reported the attack “was co-ordinated in advance with the United States and… agreed upon between Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and US President Trump.” Israel Hayom went further, claiming Trump discussed the strike with leaders of Persian Gulf states over the weekend.
The conflict has already extended beyond direct strikes between Iran and Israel. Missiles fired toward the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, a joint US-UK facility, have prompted condemnation from the UK, which labeled the attacks “reckless.” On Wednesday, Iranian missiles struck Israel, injuring several people and damaging a building near the Dimona nuclear facility. Israeli officials have stated that strikes on Iran will “increase significantly” this week.
The European Commission has urged member states to lower gas storage targets in response to the disruption of critical suppliers and rising energy prices. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen reminded energy ministers of the “flexibilities” available under current regulations, signaling concern over the impact on European energy markets.
Trump’s language describing the Israeli attack – characterizing it as Israel “violently lash[ing] out” – differs from his descriptions of Iranian retaliations, according to analysis by the BBC. This distinction has prompted questions about the extent to which the US and Israel are aligned on strategy and goals in the conflict.
As of Monday evening, Iran had not responded directly to Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies and any prolonged closure would have significant economic consequences.