Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding that the Strait of Hormuz be opened within two days.
Trump wrote: “If Iran does not fully and without threat open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from now, the United States of America will strike and destroy its various power plants, starting with the largest.”
Trump’s post was published on the social media network Truth at around 3 a.m. Moscow time.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz almost since the beginning of the war in the Middle East. Up to a fifth of all seaborne oil exports – about 20 million barrels per day – as well as liquefied natural gas pass through the strait. The loss has already sent oil prices soaring and forced the International Energy Agency to reveal reserves, releasing the largest amount in history of about 400 million barrels onto the market. In addition, the United States temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil found on ships at sea, as well as on Iranian oil.