US President Donald Trump has threatened the Iranian leadership with violent attacks if it does not give in by Tuesday evening.
This appears to be the third time that the US government has postponed its ultimatum to Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz. “If they don’t do anything by Tuesday evening, no power plant or bridge will remain standing,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal.
In a post published almost simultaneously with the interview on the online platform Truth Social, Trump mentioned the information Tuesday evening, 8 p.m. Eastern time, but did not provide any context. It stands to reason that he is referring to the deadline for Tehran – this would expire at 2 a.m. on Wednesday night according to German time. His previous ultimatum would have expired exactly 24 hours earlier.
USA already attacked bridge
Trump has long threatened to attack Iranian power plants and Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic or agree to an agreement. Around a week and a half ago, Trump spoke of very good and productive talks and therefore postponed the ultimatum for the second time.
In the past few days, however, the tone has become harsher again: Trump threatened in a speech to the nation that he would send Iran back to the “Stone Age.” The USA also recently bombed the country’s highest bridge, the “B1” near Tehran.
Around 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the Iran war on February 28th, maritime traffic through the strait has been largely at a standstill.
Iran and Oman seek solution to open Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman are trying to regulate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which is central to global energy trade. According to the Omani News Agency, representatives of the foreign ministries of both countries as well as experts are discussing options “on how to ensure smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz under the current circumstances in the region.”
The timing of the talks coincides with US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum.
Around 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the war began on February 28th, maritime traffic has been virtually at a standstill. Iran’s control as well as warnings about mines, drone attacks and the withdrawal of war risk insurance make passage almost impossible for Western shipping companies. Hundreds of tankers, container ships and freighters are stranded in the region.
The strait is only around 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. The territorial waters of Iran and Oman completely overlap; there is no neutral high-seas corridor. Iran claims control over the entire passage and is planning a toll system for the passage.
Energy markets expert Amena Bakr wrote on The “Oman route” means that ships travel far from Iranian waters and close to Omani territorial waters.
After Trump threats: Iran warns of ‘dangerous game’
After US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf has warned of a “dangerous game”. On the X platform, Ghalibaf wrote that “nothing can be achieved” with “war crimes.” The only solution is to “respect the rights of the Iranian people and end this dangerous game.” Ghalibaf, who has been one of Iran’s most influential politicians since the start of the war, warned that the “reckless moves” could set the entire region ablaze.
Trump had previously reiterated his call for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping with sharp threats and insults. “Open the damn road (of Hormuz) you crazy bastards or you will end up in hell,” he wrote in an Easter Sunday post on his Truth Social platform. He once again threatened to attack energy facilities and infrastructure such as bridges if Iran did not give in.
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WASHINGTON/MUSCAT/TEHRAN/BERLIN (dpa-AFX)
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