Sunday 22 / March / 2026
US President Donald Trump has given Iran 48 hours to allow shipping traffic to resume through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warned the US would "obliterate" Iran's power plants unless it reopens the strategic waterway.
"If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iran has threatened to attack any ships that pass through the Strait as part of its retaliation against the ongoing US-Israeli military operation, effectively halting most maritime traffic.
Around a fifth of the world's oil would normally pass through the Strait.
Trump's threat comes a day after he told reporters at the White House that he was considering "winding down" the military operation against Iran.
Germany and allies call for reopening Hormuz
Germany and more than 20 of its allies have signed a statement to contribute to "appropriate efforts" to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Countries including the UAE, Bahrain, the UK, France, Japan, South Korea and Australia also condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the region.
"The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable," they said in the joint statement.
US President Donald Trump has asked US partners to help reopen the shipping lane and criticized them when they haven't.
