Iran has threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz-and keep it sealed-if the US attacks its power plants, directly countering Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum.
Iran’s Stark Counter-Threat: Full Hormuz Closure if Power Plants Are Hit:
Iran has issued its starkest warning yet, declaring it will completely close the Strait of Hormuz-and keep it sealed-if the United States attacks the country’s power plants. The threat, delivered by Iran’s military operational command on Sunday, directly counters President Donald Trump’s Saturday ultimatum giving Tehran 48 hours to reopen the waterway or face strikes starting with the “biggest” power plant.
The escalation comes as commercial shipping through the strait has already ground to a near-halt, pushing global oil prices above $119 a barrel and raising fears of a catastrophic energy crisis that could cripple economies worldwide.
Trump’s Ultimatum Meets Iran’s Swift Counter:
The declaration follows Trump’s Truth Social post late Saturday, in which he gave Iran 48 hours to “fully open, without threat” the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of its power plants “starting with the biggest one first.” That ultimatum itself came amid mounting frustration over Iran’s effective blockade, which has forced tanker operators to reroute around Africa and insurers to withdraw coverage.
Iran’s response was swift and unified. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf reinforced the message on social media, warning of “irreversible destruction” to critical infrastructure supplying US bases and interests. The move marks a dangerous new phase in the war that began on 28 February with US-Israeli pre-emptive strikes that killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Hormuz History, Sanctions Reversal, and Iran’s Defiant Leadership:
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade. Iran has threatened closure in past crises-including the 1980s Tanker War and 2019 tensions-but never followed through on a total shutdown. In the current 2026 conflict, rhetoric has turned into partial paralysis after Iranian drone and missile strikes on Gulf refineries and tankers.
Trump’s administration had eased some sanctions on Iranian oil to stabilise markets but shifted to confrontation after repeated attacks on Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery and Israel’s bombing of Iran’s South Pars gas field on 19 March. Britain’s recent decision to allow US operations from bases such as Akrotiri and Diego Garcia has further emboldened Washington.
Inside Iran, new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has projected defiance, framing the conflict as a unifying stand against “Zionist-American aggression.”