Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants if Strait of Hormuz not opened within 48 hours

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz 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 in a post on Truth Social.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor bordered by Iran to the north, through which around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply passed, has become a key flashpoint in the war.

In response, Iran's primary military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned on Sunday that it would strike US and Israeli "energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure" in the region if its energy infrastructure was attacked, according to Fars News Agency.

Trump's ultimatum against Iran signaled an escalation one day after he said Washington was considering "winding down" military efforts in the region.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East" with respect to Iran, he said Friday on social media. Meanwhile, Trump refused to reach a ceasefire with Tehran.

His warning also came as the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered the fourth week, which has disrupted global shipping and sent oil prices soaring.

Oil prices have surged by about 50 percent since the United States and Israel launched their attacks on Feb. 28, bringing increasing pressure on Washington. The White House worries that the surge in oil prices will hurt US businesses and consumers ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans hope to retain control of Congress.

The US Treasury Department on Friday issued a general license temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea for 30 days to address the supply shortage amid shipping interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Iran has not closed the waterway, but has imposed restrictions on vessels belonging to countries involved in anti-Iran attacks.

Araghchi said Iran is ready to ensure safe passage for other states' vessels through the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Tehran.