Trump’s Hormuz ultimatum nears – with little indication Iran is on board
Trump’s Hormuz ultimatum nears – with little indication Iran is on board
Over the past five weeks, President Donald Trump has established time constraints and imposed conditions during the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. But the most recent round of strikes appears to be the most direct yet. The upcoming assault is expected to be intense, with attacks beginning at 20:00 Washington DC time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Within four hours, every bridge and power plant across the country could face severe damage. “Very little is off-limits,” Trump said on Monday. To prevent this outcome, Trump insists Iran must agree to a deal “acceptable to me.” One key element of the agreement should ensure “unrestricted oil passage” via the Strait of Hormuz.
As the final hours pass, Iran has shown no signs of complying with Trump’s final warning. They have dismissed a temporary ceasefire proposal and outlined their own demands, which a US official characterized as “maximalist.” This leaves the American leader in a precarious situation. If no agreement emerges, Trump may push the deadline – the fourth extension in three weeks. However, retreating from such pointed threats, which have been laced with strong language and ominous forecasts, could weaken his standing as the conflict escalates.
America’s military prowess on display
During Monday’s press conference, Trump highlighted the precision of American military operations, citing last year’s “Midnight Hammer” bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, and this weekend’s complex rescue mission. He and his national security advisors praised the latest operation, which involved coordinating hundreds of aircraft and elite forces, as well as deploying deceptive tactics and advanced technology. Yet, despite the success, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth noted the mission avoided a “potential tragedy.”
Even with the rescue, the risk to American forces in Iran remains evident. “We can bomb the hell out of them,” Trump remarked. “We can knock them for a loop. But to close the Strait, all you need is one terrorist.” This suggests that the US might be overestimating its control over the situation. Meanwhile, Trump has refrained from confirming his readiness to carry out the threats, despite his insistence that “we have an active, willing participant on the other side.”
Trump’s confidence in the military’s dominance is tempered by his acknowledgment of the broader consequences. “Do I want to destroy their infrastructure? No,” he stated. “Right now, if we leave today, it will take them 20 years to rebuild their country.” He also warned that a full-scale attack could extend the recovery period to a century. While not describing the “stone age” he previously threatened, he warned of a potential humanitarian crisis, including the regional fallout of Iran’s promised “crushing” retaliation.
Despite the high stakes, Trump continues to hold out hope for a resolution. “They would like to be able to make a deal,” he added. “I can’t say any more than that.” His reluctance to reveal the specifics of his strategy has raised questions about the extent of behind-the-scenes progress. The president claims “every single thing has been thought out by all of us,” but the lack of clarity about his next move underscores the uncertainty of the situation.
