Escalating tensions between Iran and the United States are fuelling fears of a wider Middle East war, with President Trump issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its energy facilities—starting with the "biggest and most important" power plant.
Tehran has responded with a unified stance across its armed forces, parliament and vice president, warning that any attack on its power plants will trigger immediate retaliation, including the "complete closure" of the Strait until damaged plants are rebuilt, as well as strikes on regional power plants, desalination facilities and US-linked infrastructure across the region.
Iranian officials have vowed a regional "blackout" if power plants are hit, while signalling that restricted access through the Strait may continue for selected shipping even after the war, as Tehran seeks to retain its strategic leverage.
The conflict is increasingly affecting global energy security, with fears it could expand beyond the Strait of Hormuz to other chokepoints such as Bab al-Mandab.
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