US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying the US will destroy major power plants if the vital Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within 48 hours.
Trump said in a post on social media that if Iran does not “fully” reopen the waterway, the US will launch attacks targeting the country’s energy infrastructure, especially its major power plants.
The threat comes as tensions between the US, Israel and Iran escalate, with tensions reaching a new and dangerous level. The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and natural gas, is now on the verge of closure, which has had a major impact on global markets. About a fifth (20%) of the world’s oil supply passes through it.
The near-closure of the waterway has caused European gas prices to rise by 35% in the past week, amid fears of a global financial crisis.
Iranian forces, particularly the Khatam al-Anbiya command, have threatened that if the United States attacks energy infrastructure, they will target all energy, technology and water treatment facilities of the United States and its allies in the region.
Iran has also previously carried out attacks on key facilities in the region, including the gas industrial city of Ras Laffan in Qatar, which is the processing center for a large part of the world’s natural gas.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military has used long-range missiles for the first time, which are said to have a range of up to 4,000 km. Reports say that two missiles were fired at US and British military bases on Diego Garcia, while other attacks took place inside Israel, causing civilian casualties.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said that these missiles are not limited to the Middle East, but can reach European capitals such as Berlin, Paris and Rome.
