US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the result of an ultimatum he issued to Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz will be “very good,” predicting that it would lead to Iran’s “total decimation” if Tehran did not comply.
“You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good,” Trump told Israel’s Channel 13.
He warned on Saturday that if Iran does not reopen the waterway within 48 hours, the US will “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants, starting with the largest facilities first.
Drop Site news is quoting a Times of Israel article quoting four senior Gulf officials who claim that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar are pressing for the war to continue until Iran’s military capabilities are decisively weakened.
Trump on Sunday also criticised NATO allies for their refusal to assist in reopening the strait, saying they were “not doing anything,” labeling them “cowards” and “paper tigers”.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte asked for “understanding” from Trump regarding allied countries’ reluctance to support reopening the passage.
Iran responded Sunday to Trump’s ultimatum by warning that it would strike all US and Israeli energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure across the region if its own facilities came under attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back on claims that Iran had closed the strait, saying ships were hesitating because insurers fear the “war of choice” that the US and Israel initiated — not because Tehran had shut the waterway.
Asked about Araghchi’s statements, the president responded dismissively, telling NewsNation: “Ok, let’s see whether or not he’s right.”
Read also: Iran says ready to rebuff any attack
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted since early March. Around 20 million barrels of oil normally pass through it daily, and its disruption has driven up shipping costs and pushed global oil prices higher.
US-Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28 and have reportedly killed at least 1 300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. – AA