New Threats from Trump and Iran Heighten Risks to Energy Supplies
President Donald Trump warned that the United States would “destroy” Iran’s power plants if it did not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, prompting Tehran to say it would respond to such an attack with attacks on U.S. and Israeli energy and infrastructure assets.
Meanwhile, Iranian missiles hit two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, shattering buildings and injuring dozens of people in twin strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre.
The developments signaled that the war was heading in a dangerous new direction as it entered its fourth week. Facing increasing pressure at home to secure the strait as oil prices rise, Trump issued the ultimatum in a social media post while spending the weekend at his home in Florida.
The war death toll has risen to more than 1,500 in Iran, more than 1,000 in Lebanon, 15 in Israel and 13 U.S. military members, as well as scores of civilians on land and at sea in the Gulf region. Millions of people were displaced in Lebanon and Iran.
