NPR News: 03-22-2026 2AM EDT

President Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran late Saturday via social media, demanding it reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours—by Monday evening—or face the destruction of its power plants. The strait, a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas to global markets. As the US-Iran war enters its fourth week, Iran has kept the strait effectively closed by targeting ships and tankers passing through. The Trump administration sought warships from allies to escort tankers but received no commitments. Iran warned that any strikes on its fuel and energy infrastructure would prompt retaliation against US and Israeli energy assets in the region. NPR's Julius Simon noted that recent Iranian missiles aimed at a US base failed to hit their target, despite the 2,500-mile distance.

This escalation builds on ongoing hostilities, where control of the strait could disrupt global energy supplies, spike prices, and strain economies dependent on Middle Eastern exports. Closing it amplifies leverage for Iran but risks broader isolation if allies prioritize open sea lanes.

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