US President Donald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” various Iranian power plants if the Islamic regime fails to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Iran’s major power plants will be “obliterated” if the regime fails to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, US President Donald Trump has warned.
The critical waterway has been closed to the vast majority of international shipping traffic since the onset of the Iran conflict earlier this month, causing global oil prices to soar.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump threatened further action against Iran if the strait was not “fully” opened within 48 hours.
“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!” he wrote on Truth Social.
( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump – Mar 21 2026, 7:44 PM ET )
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… pic.twitter.com/4VTtYjplGc
President Trump also insisted the US campaign was “weeks ahead of schedule” amid speculation that the war is drawing to a close.
He said Iran’s defences had been significantly weakened following weeks of concentrated attacks.
“The United States has blown Iran off of the map,” Trump wrote on Truth.
“Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defence, and they want to make a deal. I don’t!
“We are weeks ahead of schedule.”
It comes as Australia joined a host of nations in a joint leaders’ statement on the Strait of Hormuz.
The signatories expressed their readiness to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage” through the waterway.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and United Arab Emirates have also joined the statement.
“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement read.
“We welcome the International Energy Agency decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.
“We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs.
“Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.”
Israeli officials on Saturday said Iranian forces had for the first time fired long-range missiles, expanding the risk of attacks beyond the Middle East.
Iran launched two 4,000km-range ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said.
The Israeli military said it was the “first time” Iran had used long-range missiles in the conflict, marking its first expansion beyond the Middle East since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28.
“These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals – Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range,” Zamir said in a statement.
A source at Britain’s Defence Ministry told Reuters the attack had occurred before the government gave specific authorisation on Friday for the US to use British military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites.
More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israel began their attacks.
In Israel, 15 people have been killed in Iranian strikes since the war started.
Late on Saturday, Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children, in separate strikes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement early Sunday that they targeted “military installations” and security centres in southern Israel.
Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a post on X that the country’s air defences were functioning but did not intercept the strikes.
“We will investigate the incident and learn from it,” he said.
Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor is about 13 kilometres southeast of Dimona. Both cities lie near several military sites, including Nevatim Air Base, one of the country’s largest.
“This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office following the strike on Arad.
“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” the statement said.
-With Reuters
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