Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran on Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Tuesday, threatening catastrophic military action that could destroy the country's infrastructure if it fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. EDT. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." He referenced potential strikes on bridges, power plants, and other key facilities, describing a plan to achieve "complete demolition" within four hours starting late Tuesday evening.

The ultimatum stems from Iran's closure of the strait, a vital waterway carrying about one-fifth of global oil shipments, which occurred after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28. Trump has demanded the immediate reopening of the route, rejecting a proposed 45-day ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey as insufficient. Iranian officials, according to state media, have insisted on a complete end to the conflict rather than a temporary halt, citing a lack of trust in U.S. commitments following prior bombings during negotiations.

U.S. forces conducted strikes on military targets at Iran's Kharg Island oil...