Is the conflict in the Middle East about to escalate even further?
That’s the concern after US President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran—reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Or face devastating strikes on its power plants.
Posting on social media, Trump warned the US would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s energy facilities if shipping through the vital waterway isn’t fully restored.
The strait is no ordinary chokepoint. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it.
Any disruption could be a potential shock to global energy markets.
And the ripple effects are already visible. European gas prices jumped as much as 35% last week as shipping traffic slowed dramatically.
Iran, however, is firing back with its own warnings. The country’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes on US energy facilities across the region.
It also said strikes would target US IT facilities across the region.
Iran Escalates Attacks
The country’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes.
On US desalination facilities across the region.
Meanwhile, the conflict has taken a dangerous new turn. Iranian missiles reportedly struck southern Israeli cities, injuring dozens near Dimona and Arad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed the country would keep hitting its enemies “on all fronts.”
Adding to the tension, Israeli officials say Iran has now fired long-range missiles capable of reaching European capitals.
So the question now looms large: is this brinkmanship—or the beginning of a much wider war?
