Iran ferociously rejected an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz yesterday and threatened to wipe out the entire region’s energy infrastructure.
Donald Trump warned Tehran on Saturday it had 48 hours to allow cargo through the vital global shipping lane ‘without threat’ or he would ‘obliterate’ their power plants.
But the regime hit back yesterday saying if its plants were targeted then energy infrastructure ‘across the entire region’ would be ‘irreversibly destroyed’.
It also warned that the Strait of Hormuz – through which it still allows some nations friendly to Iran safe passage – would be ‘completely closed’ and they would hit Israeli nuclear sites.
The threats came after Iranian missiles hit two towns near a nuclear plant in Dimona, southern Israel, injuring more than 160 people. It was thought to be retaliation for a reported Israeli strike on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the war has now entered a ‘perilous stage’.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director–general, said: ‘I urgently call on all parties to exercise maximum military restraint and avoid any actions that could trigger nuclear incidents.’
As the conflict enters its fourth week, Iran’s chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of global oil passes, is ramping up pressure on Mr Trump.
Donald Trump warned Tehran on Saturday it had 48 hours to allow cargo through the vital global shipping lane ‘without threat’ or he would ‘obliterate’ their power plants
Iran ferociously rejected an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (pictured) yesterday and threatened to wipe out the entire region’s energy infrastructure
Oil prices have risen 50 per cent to over $100 (£75) with fears they could double, sparking a global recession.
Mr Trump wrote shortly before midnight UK time on Saturday: ‘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!’
He doubled down on his threats yesterday, telling Iran it would face ‘total decimation’ if the Islamic Republic failed to fully open the strait.
Speaking to Israeli channel N13, Trump said: ‘You’ll find out what’s gonna happen. Will they cave in to the ultimatum? You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran. It’s gonna work out very good.’
He added: ‘They’ve [Iran] been very bad for 47 years. Now they’re getting their comeuppance.’
But despite nearly its entire top leadership being wiped out by devastating US–Israeli precision strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday said Tehran would ‘firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield’.
He added: ‘The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history–making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil.’
A spokesman for the Iranian armed forces also warned that if the US ‘carries out its threats’ the Strait ‘will not reopen until our damaged power plants are rebuilt’.
Thousands of US Marines are heading to the region as Washington decides how to force open the Strait.
It is reportedly mulling a potential invasion of Kharg Island to seize the strategically vital territory through which Iran exports 90 per cent of its crude oil and to force Tehran to surrender.
But the Iranian regime warned if they do so it will ‘face a response that is unprecedented’ as they would ‘set fire to all the facilities in the region’ which would likely crash the global economy.
The US is reportedly mulling a potential invasion of Kharg Island (pictured) to seize the strategically vital territory
Israel and Iran have continued to trade blows as the war spirals and shows no sign of concluding. (Pictured: Rocket trails in the sky over the Israeli city of Netanya amid Iranian missiles)
As the war continues to spiral, Israel has vowed to continue hitting Iran for at least another three weeks.
IDF chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said: ‘We are halfway through, but the direction is clear.’
Benjamin Netanyahu visited the sites of the Iranian strike on Arad, near Dimona, southern Israel, yesterday and vowed: ‘We’re going after the IRGC [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps], this criminal gang.
‘We’re going after them personally, their leaders, their installations, their economic assets.’
Of the 160 injured from two ballistic missiles that struck Arad and Dimona, 70 were children.
Israel’s military said Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at the country since the start of the war, with around 92 percent of them intercepted.
Iran continued its strikes on Gulf neighbours last night, with Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry saying three ballistic missiles were detected around the capital yesterday.
The IRGC also warned residents to evacuate Doha, Qatar ‘as quickly as possible’ as it stated the area is now a ‘legitimate target’ due to US forces stationed there.
Near Baghdad Airport in Iraq, at least three drones hit the American diplomatic and logistics hub.
