Trump warns Iran of looming deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz: “Time is running out”
President Trump warned Iran that it had 48 hours to reopen the country. Strait of Hormuz or face devastating consequences.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Time is running out – 48 hours before hell reigns over them. Glory to GOD!”
The president’s comments Saturday come days after he told the American people in a speech prime time address that “we have defeated and completely decimated Iran.”
“They are decimated both militarily, economically and in every other way,” Mr. Trump said, adding: “Their radar is 100% destroyed. We are unstoppable as a military force.”
The war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, has killed thousands, roiled global markets, cut off key shipping routes and sent fuel prices soaring. A total of 365 American service members were injured in US operations against Iran, according to figures recently released by the Pentagon.
The war shows no signs of slowing as Iran responds to the airstrikes with attacks across the region.
Mr. Trump had initially threatened on March 21 to “destroy” Iranian power plants, starting with the country’s largest, “if Iran does not completely open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours.”
Two days later, however, he said that “very good and productive conversations” were taking place with Iranian authorities and that he had postponed any strike on power plants for five days.
Mr. Trump then pushed the deadline back to April 6.
Mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt are working to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table in Pakistan, two regional officials told The Associated Press. They said they were working on a compromise to bridge the gap between the two sides’ demands to stop the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated on Saturday that his country was willing to join the negotiations.
US Senator Lindsey Graham on Saturday welcomed Mr Trump’s ultimatum, saying a “massive military operation awaits Iran if it makes the wrong choice”.
“This regime has been severely crippled by Operation Epic Fury. Its reign of terror against the region and the world must end, hopefully through a peace deal,” the Republican wrote in a social media post, adding: “If it is not clear to Iran and others now that President Trump means what he says, then I don’t know when it ever will be. Choose wisely.”
The president’s comment also comes as the United States races to find a missing crew member of an F-15F fighter jet. dejected by Iran on Friday. One member of the two-person crew was rescued by US forces.
It was the first time the United States lost an aircraft over Iranian territory during the war.
Iranian state media also said a US A-10 attack jet crashed after being hit by Iranian defense forces.
The last time a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot, told the AP.
