U.S. President Donald Trump has given Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, warning that failure to comply could result in the destruction of the country’s key energy infrastructure. The ultimatum comes as Iran carries out one of its most damaging attacks yet on Israel.
The warning was delivered just a day after Trump hinted at possibly scaling down military operations following three weeks of escalating conflict. However, tensions have instead deepened, with the crucial oil transit route remaining largely blocked and additional U.S. Marines being deployed to the Middle East.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the United States would “strike and completely destroy” Iranian power facilities—beginning with the largest—if the strait is not reopened within the specified timeframe.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded by saying that restrictions on the waterway apply only to vessels from countries involved in hostilities against Iran. He added that neutral nations would still receive assistance navigating the route.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military warned it could retaliate by targeting energy and water infrastructure linked to U.S. interests and its allies in the region.
Escalation on the Ground
The latest developments come after Iranian missile strikes hit southern Israel, injuring more than 100 people in what has been described as the most severe attack since the conflict began. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response, promising action “on all fronts.”
Missiles reportedly breached Israel’s defense systems, causing extensive damage to residential areas. In the town of Arad, dozens of people were wounded, with several in critical condition. Earlier strikes in Dimona also left multiple casualties, including a child seriously injured by shrapnel.
Dimona is believed to host a sensitive nuclear facility, although Israel has never officially confirmed possessing nuclear weapons. Emergency responders were seen working through debris as buildings suffered significant structural damage.
In retaliation, Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting locations in Tehran. Iran said its attacks, including the strike near Dimona, were in response to earlier Israeli actions against its nuclear-related facilities, particularly the Natanz site.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that additional strikes targeted southern Israeli towns, as well as military-linked sites in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Following these developments, Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, urged all parties to exercise restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear incident.
While Israel denied responsibility for the Natanz strike, it confirmed hitting a facility in Tehran it claimed was linked to Iran’s missile and nuclear development efforts.
Rising Regional Tensions
Despite sustained bombardment by U.S. and Israeli forces over the past three weeks, Iran has continued to demonstrate its ability to launch missile and drone attacks across the region.
Iran also attempted a long-range missile strike on a joint U.S.-UK military base in Diego Garcia, though the attack was unsuccessful. Had it succeeded, it would have marked one of Iran’s longest-range military operations.
The United Arab Emirates reported aerial threats after Iran warned against allowing its territory to be used for attacks.
The ongoing standoff has severely disrupted activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude supply. As a result, oil prices have surged significantly, raising concerns about global economic stability.
Several world leaders—including those from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Australia, the UAE, and Bahrain—condemned Iran’s actions, describing the situation as an effective closure of the strait. They also expressed readiness to support efforts to ensure safe navigation through the waterway.
Trump, however, criticized NATO allies for what he described as a lack of decisive action, labeling them “cowards” and urging them to take a stronger role in securing the route.
Iran’s Resilience and Domestic Scene
Analysts say Iran’s leadership has shown unexpected resilience despite losing key figures in the conflict, maintaining both political stability and military capability.
According to Neil Quilliam of Chatham House, Iran’s ability to sustain operations has surpassed expectations, including those of the United States.
Back home, Iran marked the end of Ramadan as the war entered its fourth week. Traditionally, the country’s supreme leader leads Eid prayers, but Mojtaba Khamenei, who recently assumed leadership after the reported death of his father Ali Khamenei, did not appear in public.
Instead, the judiciary chief, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, led prayers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque, which saw large attendance.
Despite the festive season, the mood in Tehran remains mixed. A resident, Farid, described a sense of celebration in the air but noted the emotional toll of the conflict, with many unable to ignore the reality of ongoing violence during what is typically a time of joy.