Iran threatens to ‘completely’ close Strait of Hormuz if US targets power plants

A day after US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran responded by warning it would shut the critical oil passage “completely” if US forces target its civilian power infrastructure.

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, continuing to endanger lives and livelihoods, both sides have intensified their rhetoric and military posturing—raising fears of severe disruptions to global oil supplies.

Trump on Saturday warned that US forces would strike and “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf to global markets within 48 hours. In a social media post, he stated that US operations would begin by targeting Iran’s largest power facility.

Iran has effectively restricted access to the Strait, while claiming it continues to allow safe passage for vessels from countries it does not consider hostile. The waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, but recent attacks on shipping have brought tanker traffic to a near standstill.

Responding to Trump's ultimatum, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that any attack on Iran’s power plants or infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes on vital facilities across the region—including energy and desalination systems essential for drinking water in Gulf nations.

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council that any attacks on power plants would be “inherently indiscriminate and clearly disproportionate,” and would constitute a war crime.

The conflict, which began on February 28 with joint airstrikes by US and Israeli forces on Iran, has already claimed more than 2,000 lives. It has also rattled the global economy, driven up oil prices, and disrupted some of the world’s busiest air corridors.