WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump threatened early Sunday to launch strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure “starting with the largest facilities” unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, as Iran warned it would retaliate by targeting US and Israeli infrastructure.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, without any threats, within 48 hours, the United States will strike and destroy its energy facilities, starting with the largest.”Iran responded through Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warning that any attack on Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against “all energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure” belonging to the United States and Israel in the region.Earlier Sunday, Trump claimed that the United States had “wiped Iran off the map” and achieved its military objectives ahead of schedule.On March 2, Iran announced restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would target vessels attempting to pass without coordination, in response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks.Around 20 million barrels of oil pass through the strait daily, and its disruption has driven up shipping and insurance costs, raised oil prices, and heightened global economic concerns.On Friday, Trump called on countries that rely on the waterway to take responsibility for securing it, saying the United States does not depend on the route.His remarks come as Washington has struggled in recent days to build a broad international coalition to secure maritime traffic through the strait.Since Feb. 28, the United States and Israel have been engaged in a military campaign against Iran, which has killed hundreds, including senior officials, while Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump threatened early Sunday to launch strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure “starting with the largest facilities” unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, as Iran warned it would retaliate by targeting US and Israeli infrastructure.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, without any threats, within 48 hours, the United States will strike and destroy its energy facilities, starting with the largest.”Iran responded through Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warning that any attack on Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against “all energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure” belonging to the United States and Israel in the region.Earlier Sunday, Trump claimed that the United States had “wiped Iran off the map” and achieved its military objectives ahead of schedule.On March 2, Iran announced restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would target vessels attempting to pass without coordination, in response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks.Around 20 million barrels of oil pass through the strait daily, and its disruption has driven up shipping and insurance costs, raised oil prices, and heightened global economic concerns.On Friday, Trump called on countries that rely on the waterway to take responsibility for securing it, saying the United States does not depend on the route.His remarks come as Washington has struggled in recent days to build a broad international coalition to secure maritime traffic through the strait.Since Feb. 28, the United States and Israel have been engaged in a military campaign against Iran, which has killed hundreds, including senior officials, while Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.
