US President Donald Trump has issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face sweeping strikes on its energy infrastructure, as Tehran unleashed its most devastating attack yet on Israel.
The warning, delivered Saturday on Truth Social, marks a sharp escalation after Trump had earlier suggested Washington might scale back military operations following three weeks of hostilities. He warned the US would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants — “starting with the biggest” — if the critical shipping lane is not fully reopened within the deadline.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, insisted Tehran’s restrictions target only vessels linked to countries involved in attacks on Iran, adding that neutral nations would be allowed safe passage.
But Iran’s military struck a defiant tone, warning it would target US and allied energy and desalination facilities across the region in retaliation for any escalation.
The ultimatum came just hours after Iranian missiles slammed into southern Israel, injuring more than 100 people in the deadliest strike since the conflict began. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond forcefully “on all fronts.”
The attacks hit Arad and Dimona, ripping through residential buildings and leaving scenes of widespread destruction. Emergency officials reported scores of casualties, including several in critical condition.
Dimona — home to a sensitive nuclear facility widely believed to underpin Israel’s undeclared arsenal — was among the targets. The Israeli military confirmed a direct hit on a building, with casualties recorded at multiple sites, including a child seriously wounded by shrapnel.
Iran said the strikes were retaliation for attacks on its nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz nuclear facility, a central hub of its disputed nuclear programme.
Amid growing fears of a wider catastrophe, Rafael Grossi renewed calls for “maximum restraint” to avert the risk of a nuclear accident.
The conflict is rapidly spilling across the region. Iran reportedly attempted a long-range strike on a US-UK base in Diego Garcia, while the United Arab Emirates said it faced aerial threats after Tehran warned against allowing its territory to be used for attacks.
At the heart of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for global energy flows. Iran’s effective shutdown of the waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has sent shockwaves through global markets.
Brent crude has surged above $105 per barrel, heightening fears of a prolonged energy shock and broader economic fallout.
In a joint statement, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Australia, the UAE and Bahrain condemned what they described as Iran’s “de facto closure” of the strait, pledging support for coordinated efforts to safeguard maritime security.
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