Trump warns Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face strikes on power plants

Donald Trump has warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face US strikes on its power plants, marking a sharp escalation in tensions even as he claimed Washington was close to achieving its military objectives.

In a series of posts, Trump issued a direct ultimatum, saying the United States would "hit and obliterate" Iran's power infrastructure if the vital global energy route is not "fully opened without threat."

Despite the warning, Trump signalled that US military operations in the region could soon wind down. "We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East," he said.

He outlined key goals of the campaign, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying its defence industrial base, and dismantling its military strength. Trump claimed the US had effectively neutralised Iran's navy, air force, and anti-aircraft systems, while stressing that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capability remains central to US strategy.

Trump also underscored Washington's commitment to protecting regional allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

At the same time, he said responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should fall on other nations that depend on it, including Europe and major Asian economies such as China, Japan, and South Korea. He also called on partners like Australia to play a more active role, criticising the lack of action from NATO.

Rejecting calls for a ceasefire, Trump said the US would not halt operations while it was "literally obliterating the other side." He described reopening the strait as a "simple military manoeuvre," though one requiring significant international coordination.

In further remarks, Trump claimed sweeping success in the campaign, asserting that Iran's leadership and military capabilities had been severely weakened and that the country was seeking a deal.

The statements reflect a dual US approach — projecting battlefield success while maintaining intense pressure on Tehran, particularly over maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear ambitions.

Meanwhile, Major General Seyed Majid Moosavi, head of Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force, said on Saturday (local time) that Iran now dominates the skies of the occupied territories.

Moosavi said that the upcoming waves of attacks in those skies would leave the US and Israel 'dumbfounded'.
In a post on X, Moosavi said, "From this moment, I declare the missile dominance of Iran's sons over the skies of the occupied territories. The new tactics and launch systems employed in the upcoming waves will leave the American-Zionist commanders dumbfounded. Tonight, the skies over the south of the occupied territories will remain illuminated for hours."

Meanwhile, Speaker of Iranian Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, said that if Israeli skies are defenceless.

Al Jazeera said that the Israeli air force will investigate how Israeli defences failed to intercept a ballistic missile that made a direct impact in the southern city of Arad. It further said that Israeli media, citing the Israeli military, said there were two failed interception attempts.