Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran, Strait of Hormuz Blockade Continues

Investing.com - U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his government’s military posture on Saturday, issuing a 48-hour final ultimatum to Tehran, demanding it “completely open” the Strait of Hormuz. The president warned on social media that failure to eliminate the threat to this strategic waterway would lead to the “destruction” of Iran’s power infrastructure, especially targeting the country’s largest power plant.

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This directive comes after weeks of maritime instability that has effectively halted shipping through the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, where approximately 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are transported via the strait.

Strategic infrastructure becomes a target

The latest warning from the president marks a shift in the strike strategy, moving from military assets to Iran’s domestic power grid to exert maximum pressure on the leadership.

Trump dismissed claims that the U.S. has failed to achieve initial objectives, asserting that military actions are “weeks ahead of schedule” and have fundamentally weakened Iran’s navy and air capabilities.

Although the White House hinted that the Iranian government “wants to reach an agreement,” the president is currently refusing to negotiate publicly, focusing instead on the unconditional reopening of the strait.

Potential strikes on Iranian power plants could have impacts beyond domestic energy shortages. This escalation signals a move toward completely destroying regional industrial capacity, further complicating any diplomatic resolution.

“Strait of Hormuz” and market volatility

The de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered significant global energy supply shocks, with tanker traffic dropping to near zero, forcing major Gulf oil producers to cut output sharply.

The 48-hour deadline proposed by the president adds a new sense of urgency for global commodity traders. If the maritime situation does not change after the deadline, targeting civilian energy infrastructure could fundamentally reshape regional risk premiums for the remainder of 2026.

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