The United States has threatened to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply normally flows. Donald Trump issued the ultimatum ahead of a midnight GMT deadline, warning of the "complete demolition" of Iranian power plants, bridges, and other key facilities if no agreement is reached.
The warning came as a series of explosions struck Tehran on Tuesday, with Israeli forces confirming a fresh wave of airstrikes targeting what they described as Iranian "terror regime infrastructure" in the capital and surrounding areas. Iranian media reported blasts in northern Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj.
The Iranian army dismissed Trump's statements as "arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats", saying they would not affect ongoing military operations. Iranian officials also rejected a proposed 45-day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, insisting on a "definitive end to the conflict" rather than a temporary halt.
Trump separately described the ceasefire proposal as a "significant proposal" before reversing course and declaring it insufficient. Under the reported terms of the plan, Iran would reopen the strait while charging approximately $2 million per vessel — a fee to be shared with neighbouring Oman.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on 28 February 2026, driving up global oil and gas prices. The closure has disrupted energy supplies across multiple continents and placed sustained pressure on international fuel markets.
Regional spillover from the conflict has widened. Overnight strikes in Saudi Arabia damaged a petrochemical complex in Jubail, an industrial hub in the country's eastern province. Bahrain activated air-raid sirens on Tuesday morning, and the United Arab Emirates confirmed its air defence systems were actively intercepting missiles and drones.
Israel's military also reported detecting missiles launched from Iran towards Israeli territory, stating that air defence systems had been deployed in response.
On the diplomatic front, the United Nations Security Council was set to vote Tuesday on a scaled-back resolution addressing Iran's threats to the strait, after earlier, more robust drafts faced the prospect of vetoes from permanent members.
Sina Toossi, senior fellow at the Centre for International Policy, noted that an infrastructure war was "not looming — it is already underway", adding that Tehran was unlikely to concede control over the Strait of Hormuz regardless of external pressure.
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan said on Tuesday that mediation efforts were "approaching a critical, sensitive stage", without elaborating further.
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