Trump issues a new ultimatum to Iran over the Hormuz Strait

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to Iran on Sunday, warning Tehran to stop blocking the Hormuz Strait by Tuesday or the United States would strike Iran’s infrastructure. The warning came hours after Trump said the U.S. had rescued the last pilot shot down by Iranian forces last week.

“Tuesday will be the day to strike Iran's power plants and bridges,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Later, he posted again: “Tuesday, 8 p.m. Eastern Time,” without additional details. The White House told MS NOW that the timeline is the deadline for Iran to reach a deal with the U.S.

Ultimatum and stated deadline

Trump’s latest warning follows repeated threats to attack Iran’s critical infrastructure if Tehran does not meet U.S. demands. The post also builds on an earlier message in which Trump said he had given Iran 10 days to reach a deal or open the Hormuz Strait, adding that “only 48 hours left.”

As the conflict enters its second month, there are no signs of de-escalation. Iran has continued attacks on economic and infrastructure targets in Gulf neighbors, according to reports cited in the article.

Regional attacks and infrastructure impacts

Abu Dhabi media reported that the Borouge petrochemical plant had been attacked and halted operations. Bahrain media reported multiple parts of GPIC were attacked by Iranian drones on Sunday morning. In Kuwait, Iranian drones caused significant damage to power plants, a petrochemical plant, and a desalination plant.

Petrochemicals are described as a key Gulf industry, converting crude oil and gas into plastics, polymers, and fertilizers, and generating billions of dollars in export revenue each year.

U.S. rescue operation and Iran’s response

On Sunday, Iran’s state television aired a video it said showed parts of a U.S. aircraft shot down by Iranian forces, along with a photo of thick black smoke. The broadcast said Iran shot down a U.S. cargo plane and two helicopters involved in the rescue operation.

An American intelligence official told AP that U.S. forces shot down two transport planes due to technical malfunctions, forcing additional aircraft to be deployed to complete the rescue. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard joint command said four U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the rescue, warning it would escalate attacks on oil and civilian facilities in the region if the U.S. and Israel target those sites inside Iran.

“If you again aggress and attack civilian facilities, our response will be stronger,” an IRNA statement quoted by Iranian state media said.

Diplomatic efforts and negotiation openings

Oman’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the day before there had been a meeting with Iranian officials to discuss “feasible options for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic through the Hormuz Strait.” Oman said experts from both sides offered ideas and proposals that would be studied.

Pakistan said on Saturday that its mediation efforts to broker a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran were “moving in the right direction.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry kept the door open for peaceful negotiation with the U.S., but the article notes there were no signs Tehran was ready to meet Washington’s demands.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Iran would travel to Islamabad to negotiate, adding: “What we care about are the terms to end this illegitimate war comprehensively and durably.”

Oil market reaction

Brent crude rose above $141 per barrel last Thursday, the highest since the 2008 global financial crisis. The article says this price is for Brent deliveries in the next 10–30 days, and that the high level reflects supply tensions as Hormuz-related concerns persist.

Next steps

At the end of the weekend, Trump said he would speak about U.S. military operations in Iran at a White House briefing at 1 p.m. Monday local time.