The American president Donald Trump issued an ultimatum of 48 hours to Iran this Saturday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran does not fully open, without threats, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from this very moment, the United States will attack and destroy its various power plants, starting with the largest! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President Donald J. Trump,” wrote the Republican on his social media platform Truth.
Trump's ultimatum comes shortly after a group of 22 countries also demanded this Saturday that Iran immediately reopen the strait, following an escalation of tensions that threatens maritime transit and global energy supply.
The joint statement, issued by the United Arab Emirates, has the support of powers such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and Australia, among other allies.
The signatories condemned "in the strongest terms" the recent attacks attributed to Tehran against unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, as well as the actions aimed at civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities.
They also reported the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces, a crucial route through which nearly one-third of the world's oil trade passes.
"We ask Iran to immediately cease its threats, the placement of mines, drone and missile attacks, and any attempts to obstruct commercial navigation," the statement notes.
The countries also urged Tehran to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and to impose an "immediate and complete moratorium" on attacks against civilian infrastructure.
Tensions escalated this week after Iran launched missiles at the industrial city of Ras Laffan in Qatar, where the world's largest natural gas export facility is located. This attack signifies a new phase in the conflict and heightens international concerns about its impact on energy markets.
At the same time, the impact on energy markets is already being felt: the Strait of Hormuz accounts for nearly one-third of global oil trade, so any disruption or threat sparks volatility in prices.
Although the release of strategic reserves and a potential increase in production could cushion the blow, analysts warn that a sustained escalation could lead to a significant rise in global oil prices.
In this regard, the signatories warned that Iranian actions would have global consequences, especially for the most vulnerable countries, by affecting supply chains and price stability. In response, the International Energy Agency approved the coordinated release of strategic oil reserves to mitigate the impact.
The Strait of Hormuz, regarded as a key point for international trade, has once again become the focal point of a crisis that threatens global security and economic stability in multiple regions.
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