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Published 13:53 24 Mar 2026 GMT
Iran just issued their most terrifying threat yet after Trump's eerie ultimatum
Iran issued its most terrifying threat yet in response to President Trump’s eerie ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict between the United States and Iran, now in its fourth week, has escalated dramatically, with both nations making severe threats against critical infrastructure.
The confrontation intensified after Trump declared a 48-hour request for Tehran to reopen the key oil passage on Saturday (March 21).
"If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" the 79-year-old wrote on Truth Social.
The U.S. has argued that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard controls a significant portion of the country’s energy infrastructure, which they claim is being used to fuel the conflict, per Politico.
This threat to target Iran's power plants has raised serious concerns over its legality.
Under international law, military strikes on power plants are only permissible if the military advantage outweighs the harm they cause to civilians.
Iran's Response to Trump's Threat
In retaliation, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf took to social media to deliver a chilling warning.
He stated that if Iran’s power plants and infrastructure were attacked, the US could expect devastating consequences for vital regional infrastructure.
This includes energy and desalination facilities crucial for Gulf nations, which provide essential drinking water.
Qalibaf warned that these areas could be "considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner".
Further escalating tensions, Qalibaf later added: "Alongside military bases, those financial entities that finance the US military budget are legitimate targets. US treasury bonds are soaked in Iranians' blood. Purchase them, and you purchase a strike on your HQ and assets. We monitor your portfolios. This is your final notice."
Diplomatic Talks and Contradictory Claims
A few days after the ultimatum and growing threats, Trump shared an update on diplomatic talks between the US and Iran.
On Monday (March 23), he claimed that there had been "very good and productive conversations" about a possible resolution to the conflict, and announced that the US would pause military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days to allow ongoing discussions to continue.
"I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” he wrote in an all-caps message on Truth Social.
"Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period," he added.
However, Iran swiftly rejected Trump’s claims of productive talks. Per reports, the Iranian Foreign Ministry alleged that the US had not engaged in any meaningful conversations and that the president's remarks were aimed at lowering global energy prices and buying time for military plans.
Iranian state-linked media outlets also reported that no direct talks had taken place, instead suggesting that the US had stepped back after Iran issued credible threats.