WASHINGTON.- The president of the United States, Donald Trumpraised tension with Iran by warning that, if Tehran does not reopen Strait of Hormuzyou will face attacks of greater intensity.
A few hours after his ultimatum was fulfilled, the US president assured in Truth Social that “47 years of extortion, corruption and death will finally come to an end” in Iranwhile speaking of a possible “total and complete regime change.”
Trump stated that “An entire civilization will die tonight, never to return.”although he added that, with “different, more intelligent and less radicalized minds,” “something revolutionaryly wonderful” could also happen.
The president described the situation as “one of the most important in the long and complex history of the world” and concluded the message by writing: “God bless the great people of Iran!”
Yesterday, Monday, Trump assured that he considered that Tehran was negotiating “in good faith” with the United States, and “they would like to reach an agreement” before the ultimatum is fulfilled.
However, he considered that the Iranian proposal “is not good enough.”
“We have to reach an agreement that is acceptable to me and part of that agreement will include the free movement of oil (through the Strait of Hormuz)”, otherwise “they will not have bridges, they will not have power plants”.
Trump’s ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz: when will it be fulfilled?
It is Tuesday, the crisis continues around the Strait of Hormuz, a sea route through which it passes near the 20% of global oil supply. Iran restricted transit after the attacks that began on February 28 by USA e Israel.
Trump set a deadline of 8 p.m. Washington time so that Tehran allows the passage of oil vessels again. If they did not do so, he threatened to order punitive attacks.
“All bridges in Iran will be decimated by 12 midnight tomorrow night“said the US president. He also warned that all power plants would be left “burning, exploding and never to be used again.”
The American president also maintained that his administration considers advancing militarily to regain control of Hormuz If the negotiations that Washington maintains with Iran through Pakistan.
Trump said he believes keeping the strait open is essential to prevent war in Middle East ends up affecting the US economy.
He even raised the possibility of charging tolls for oil tankers that cross the area to supply Europa, China, Japan y South Korea.
“Why wouldn’t we charge a toll? We are the winners. We win. They have been defeated militarily“, he declared during a press conference at the White House.
Attacks on bridges, railways and infrastructure in Iran today
As the expiration of the ultimatum approaches, a coordinated offensive hit several points of Iranian infrastructure in the last few hours.
One of the attacks reached Yahya Abad railway bridgein There iswhere at least two people died and three more were injured, Akbar Salehi, a security official in Isfahan province, told the agency. IRNA.
In the province of Qomprojectiles hit a key bridge for communications and seriously affected traffic to Tehran, according to the deputy governor Morteza Heydari.
Damage was also reported on one of the main highways in the north of the country, which connects Tabriz with Tehran through Zanjan. The crisis management office East Azerbaijan confirmed that the attack occurred about 90 kilometers from Tabriz.
The damage reached the national railway network. In Mashhadthe country’s second most populous city, all train movements were suspended following a warning issued by the Israeli military.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuconfirmed that “today Israel attacked railways and bridges in Iran.” Hours earlier, Israeli forces had asked the population to avoid traveling by train.
The Kharg islandIran’s main oil terminal and responsible for approximately 90% of the country’s crude oil exports, also registered strong explosions.
Iran responds with human chains and warnings of retaliation
Faced with threats from the United States, the Iranian government called for human chains to be formed around power plants, bridges and other strategic installations.
Thousands of people gathered in front of power plants in Tehran, Kermanshah, Tabriz y Qazvinunder the motto “Young people of Iran for a bright tomorrow,” reported The Country.
In Tehran, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the central Damavandwhile in Kermanshah they gathered in front of the Bisotun.
Alireza Rahimisecretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, called on “all young people, athletes, artists, students and university students and their teachers” to protect “the power plants”: They are our national assets and capital”.
The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkianstated that 14 million people volunteered to fight.
“I have also been, am and will continue to be ready to give my life for Iran”, he wrote in X.
Furthermore, a high-level Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran will not show flexibility as long as Washington continues to demand a “surrender under pressure.”
The same source pointed out that Qatar conveyed the message to the United States that if Washington attacks Iranian power plants, “the entire region and Saudi Arabia will be plunged into total darkness as a result of Iran’s retaliatory attacks.”
Iran also warned that its allies could close the Bab el Mandeb Strait if the situation worsens.
Oil price rises due to crisis in the Strait of Hormuz
The Tension around the Strait of Hormuz caused a new increase in international oil prices.
He Brent reached a price of 110 dollars per barrel, while the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached a high of $116 per barrel before retreating to $115.28.
The increase responds to the uncertainty about the global crude oil supply already the need for ensure immediate deliveries.
According to ReutersTrump’s recent threats led to WTI, which normally trades at a discount to Brent, to reach higher prices due to strong demand for US oil.
Refineries in Asia and Europe They accelerated their purchases of crude oil from the United States to replace part of the supplies coming from the Middle East.
The most affected countries are those that depend exclusively on the Strait of Hormuz to export oil. Reuters indicated that several nations have suffered losses of billions of dollars due to the closure of this maritime route.
In contrast, Iran, Oman y Saudi Arabia They managed to obtain certain benefits due to the increase in prices and the possibility of redirecting part of their exports.
UN and international community ask to stop escalation in the Middle East
The growing threat of attacks against civilian infrastructure sparked international reactions.
He UN Security Council scheduled a vote on a resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the initiative was presented in a watered-down version due to opposition from China, which refused to authorize the use of force in the area.
France also called for restraint. The Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrotwarned that attacking civil and energy infrastructure “is prohibited by the rules of war, international law.”
According to the French official, this type of attack could open “a new phase of escalation, of retaliation, that would drag the region and the world economy into a vicious circle.”
The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterresalso recalled that attacks against civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.
Despite this, Trump stated that he is “not at all” worried about being accused of committing war crimes.
Meanwhile, mediators Pakistan, Egypt y Türkiye Indirect talks continue between Washington and Tehran to try to avoid a further escalation in Middle East.
With information from AP, EFE, Reuters, The Country and agencies.
Leave a Reply