US threatens to cripple Iran’s power grid if Hormuz shut; Tehran warns of sweeping retaliation

In a sharp escalation of tensions, Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening to “hit and obliterate” its power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened for global shipping.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump warned that the United States would begin targeting Iran’s largest power facilities if Tehran fails to ensure unrestricted passage through the critical oil transit route within the stipulated timeframe.

Tehran responded swiftly, vowing retaliation by striking US- and Israel-linked energy and IT infrastructure, as well as desalination facilities across the region, if its power grid comes under attack—signaling the risk of a wider, multi-domain conflict.

The high-stakes warning comes just a day after Washington granted Iran a “temporary waiver” to sell oil already in transit, even as Trump indicated he may consider scaling down US military involvement in the region.

The crisis has already rattled global energy markets. Oil prices have surged since Iran blocked movement through the Strait of Hormuz following US-Israeli strikes on February 28, triggering a conflict that has now stretched into its fourth week with no signs of de-escalation.

Hostilities continue to intensify. In its latest strike, Iran launched missiles toward Israel’s Dimona region, damaging a building. Tehran said the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s earlier strike on Natanz, a key nuclear facility.

Trump, meanwhile, signaled a shift in US posture, arguing that nations dependent on the Strait of Hormuz should take primary responsibility for securing the route. “The United States does not,” he said, adding that Washington would only assist if requested.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the temporary waiver allows Iran to sell only oil already at sea, barring new production or purchases. He stressed that the move would not materially strengthen Tehran, citing constraints on its ability to access revenues.

In a separate post, Trump struck a defiant tone, claiming the US had effectively neutralized Iran’s military capabilities ahead of schedule. “Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead… and they want to make a deal. I don’t,” he said, underscoring the hardened stance that now defines Washington’s approach.

As rhetoric hardens and military actions escalate, the region stands on the edge of a broader confrontation—one that could disrupt global energy supplies and redraw geopolitical fault lines.