Trump's 48-Hour Hormuz Ultimatum Nears Deadline; Iran Vows Complete Closure and Retaliatory Strikes on Regional Energy Infrastructure

Trump's 48-hour ultimatum to Iran — issued at 7:44 PM ET Saturday — expires Monday evening. He threatened to 'hit and obliterate' Iran's power plants 'starting with the biggest one first' unless the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens. Iran's army responded that it would target all US-affiliated energy infrastructure in the region and completely close the strait if power plants are struck. The IEA warned the resulting energy crisis exceeds the 1970s oil shocks. Bloomberg reports both sides are escalating rhetoric with no diplomatic off-ramp visible, while a 22-nation coalition pledged to support Hormuz navigation security.