United States ruler Donald Trump has warned Iran that today’s deadline for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is “final.” He added that a ceasefire proposal will not be enough to avert an attack on energy infrastructure should Iran fail to open the vital waterway in time.
“It’s a significant proposal. It’s a significant step. It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that intermediaries “are negotiating now”.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, Trump warned on Sunday that unless Tehran agreed by Tuesday evening to allow free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he would order strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges.
During peacetime, about 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz Closure Hinders Global Oil Supply
Trump Warns Iran Will Be “Living In Hell” If Strait of Hormuz Is Not Opened
On Monday, a 45-day ceasefire proposal was put forward by Pakistan after meetings seeking a diplomatic solution to the war, which was sparked on February 28 by Israeli and US attacks against Iran, which has responded by firing missiles at targets across the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Force is reportedly waiting for the US president’s deadline to pass so it can hit Iran even harder, according to a report by RT. Israel is still striking Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu Threatens To Reduce Iran’s Military “To Dust”
In the face of threats, Iran remains defiant against both the US and Israel.
“It is Trump who has about 20 hours to either surrender to Iran or see his allies return to the Stone Age. We will not back down!” Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed.
Will Trump follow through? Will Iran respond? Hopefully, we don’t have to find out. The only thing that looks certain is that Iran will not be reopening the Strait of Hormuz.