US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran and threatened to obliterate power plants if Tehran doesn't open the Strait Of Hormuz within 48 hours.
The warning comes amid Trump asking European countries, NATO allies and other nations to join efforts to help secure Hormuz.
"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!," said Trump in a post on Truth social.
ALSO READ | 'Cowards, Paper Tiger': Trump Rants Against NATO Allies For Not Joining Iran War Amid Hormuz Blockade
On Saturday, Trump had claimed that the US was very close to meeting to completely degrade Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them.
"Never allowing Iran to get even close to nuclear capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place."
The Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, has been shut down by the Iranian IRGC.
A day ago, Trump termed NATO a paper tiger and coward for not joining the Iran war and helping in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
He said that they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices.
ALSO READ: Iranian Navy Guided Indian Tanker Through Hormuz, Crew Member Says
A few days ago, Trump had warned NATO allies of a 'very bad future' if they refuse to help in securing the key waterway.
Last week, during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump stated, "We don't use the Strait of Hormuz; we are defending it for everybody else. NATO doesn't want to help us defend the Strait, and they are the ones who need it."
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have said that they are ready to contribute to ensure safe passage through key shipping route.
"Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable," the EU nations and Japan said in a joint statement.
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