In a potential major escalation of the situation in the Gulf, US President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to fully open the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
He warned of dire consequences for Iran, including that Washington will target its power plants if the strait remains restricted to waiting ships.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN… the Strait of Hormuz… the United States… will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS,” Trump stated. This signals a sharp spike in the US-Israel conflict with Tehran.
Global markets are already reacting to disruptions in this vital waterway. Consequently, oil and gas prices are fluctuating as the war enters its fourth week with no end in sight.
However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly issued a fierce counter-warning. They alleged that any strike on their soil will lead to massive retaliation.
Targeting Critical Regional Infrastructure
According to a report by Al Jazeera, the IRGC is now expanding its target list. They plan to hit energy and water sites belonging to the US and Israel.
“At the slightest attack on our infrastructure, we will destroy all energy, information technology, and water desalination infrastructure,” the IRGC said. This threat includes assets across the entire Gulf region.
US military officials alleged that Iran’s ability to block shipping is already weak. They noted that recent strikes have destroyed many Iranian missile sites and coastal facilities.
Still, the gap between political threats and military facts creates deep uncertainty. For instance, shipping activity in the Strait has dropped significantly since the fighting began.
This development could lead to a total global economic collapse. If water and power sites are destroyed, the humanitarian crisis will reach 100% of the region and reverberate across the world.
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