Middle East crisis live: Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to open strait of Hormuz; about 100 injured in Israel

Trump Iran ultimatum: 48-hour deadline to reopen Hormuz strait as 100 wounded in Israel

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

Former U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Iran reopen the strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, as regional violence left about 100 people injured across Israel.

Trump issued the ultimatum late Tuesday, warning of “grave consequences” if Tehran kept the critical waterway closed to commercial traffic.

The strait carries 20 percent of global oil supplies. Its closure triggered immediate price spikes and prompted naval deployments from the U.S., Britain and France.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized 2 tankers Monday and stationed gunboats across the 21-mile channel, shipping sources told Reuters. Tehran said the moves responded to Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities in Syria that killed 11 soldiers.

Trump spoke to reporters at his Florida resort. “Iran has 48 hours to reopen the strait or face measures they cannot imagine,” he said. He did not specify what actions he favored.

Current U.S. President Joe Biden learned of Trump’s statement during a NATO summit in Vilnius, officials said. The White House called for “measured diplomacy” but confirmed a carrier strike group already sailed toward the Gulf.

Oil prices surged 8 percent to $94 a barrel, the highest since November. Brent crude futures rose $6.87 in late London trading, according to ICE data.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened an emergency meeting in Brussels. “Freedom of navigation is non-negotiable,” Borrell told reporters.

Israeli medical services reported 97 people injured in overnight rocket fire from Lebanon and Gaza. Magen David Adom said 3 people remained in critical condition.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations dismissed Trump’s demand. “The strait will remain closed until Israeli aggression ends,” spokesperson Mohammad Habibzadeh said in New York.

Background

The strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman. It forms the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Tankers carry 17 million barrels of crude and refined fuel through the channel daily, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Tehran threatened the waterway repeatedly since 2018, when Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear accord and reimposed oil sanctions. Iranian forces attacked 6 foreign vessels in 2019 amid tensions with Saudi Arabia and the United States.

What’s Next

The 48-hour deadline expires Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. NATO ambassadors scheduled closed-door talks Friday in Brussels to discuss naval escorts for merchant ships.

Insurance underwriters raised war-risk premiums ten-fold for voyages through the strait. Shipping giant Maersk told customers it would reroute cargoes around Africa if the channel stays shut.