Trump gives Iran until Tuesday night to open Strait
US President Donald Trump, in his profane post on social media, said that America will target Iran’s power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
Trump said Tuesday evening was the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
“If they don’t do something by Tuesday night, they will have no power plants left and no bridges standing,” Trump told the Journal.
Trump later posted on social media, without mentioning Iran or any other details: “Tuesday, 8pm Eastern Time!”
In another profanity-filled post, Trump upped the ante of his demands.
The Strait of Hormuz, which supplies about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas, has been largely closed since the war began five weeks ago.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day in Iran, all in one,” he said on the Truth Social platform.
“It’s not going to happen!!! Open the damn Throat, you crazy bastards, or you’re going to live in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to God. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Washington’s war ally Israel, which attacked a major petrochemical facility on Saturday, is preparing to attack energy facilities next week and is awaiting US approval, a senior Israeli defense official said.
But Trump sent mixed messages when he told Fox News on Sunday that Iran was negotiating a possible deal as early as Monday, leaving supporters and foes alike stunned.
Tehran is demanding an end to hostilities, and parliament speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf condemned Trump’s threats, saying he was misled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Your careless actions are driving the USA into a living HELL for every family, and our entire region will burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s orders,” he wrote on X.
Trump’s threat came after an intense 48-hour rescue operation for two US airmen in Iran.
13 US military personnel have been killed and hundreds more injured in the Middle East since the US and Israel began operations.
Trump said he would hold a press conference alongside the military in the Oval Office on Monday.
The average US oil price reached US$4.11 (A$A5.95) per gallon on Sunday, according to AAA, from less than US$3 (A$A4.3) when attacks on Iran began.
The war, which started with air strikes by the USA and Israel against Iran on February 28, spread to Lebanon and Israel restarted its operation against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Thousands of people have died in Iran and Lebanon, where Israel killed 11 more people in airstrikes on Sunday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
