U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Iran, stating that the country has 48 hours left to reach a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe U.S. military action.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, April 4, Trump reminded Iran of his earlier 10-day ultimatum, which is set to end on April 6, 2026.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out, 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” he wrote.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Iran has been blocking shipping there in the course of ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations against Iranian targets that began earlier this year.
Trump first set a short deadline in late March, threatening to strike Iranian power plants, starting with the largest, if the strait remained closed.
Also Read: ‘Trump Should Be Ousted,’ Khamenei Adviser Says Calling for U.S. President’s Impeachment
He later extended that window by 10 days to April 6 at what he described as Tehran’s request, citing progress in talks. Saturday’s message indicates the clock is ticking down again. According to his earlier statement, Iran asked for 7 days, but he decided to give them 3 more days, bringing the total number to ten.
The latest warning comes since tensions in the region remain high, especially after Iran’s defense systems downed a U.S. F-15 fighter jet. The jet, which had two pilots, was shot down on Friday, April 3. U.S. Forces rescued one of the pilots. The search for the second plot is still going on.
U.S. forces have conducted strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure in recent weeks as part of efforts to restore open passage through the strait.
Iranian officials have responded with threats to keep the waterway shut and target additional sites if attacked.
White House officials did not immediately comment on the new 48-hour timeframe or specify what form the threatened action would take.
Previous statements from the administration have signaled possible strikes against electric generating plants and oil facilities.
This marks the latest in a series of public deadlines Trump has set for Iran since the current round of hostilities escalated.
Trump hints at opening the Strait on his own.
In one earlier message, he suggested the U.S. could reopen the strait and access oil resources if given more time.
Iran has consistently denied engaging in direct negotiations and accused the U.S. of retreating from its timelines under pressure.
Iran had earlier responded to Trump’s threat on their power plant by threatening to attack similar facilities and water distillation plants in the Middle East, targeting all countries that host U.S. bases.
Iran also threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz completely closed until any attacked power plant is fully repaired and functional.
Some U.S. allies in the Gulf and Europe have been urging restraint while calling for safe passage for commercial shipping. They believe the situation is going to get worse if Iran’s power plants are targeted.
Also Read: Trump Floats Seizing Hormuz Oil as Iran Claims Downed U.S. Jet, Pilot Search Intensifies
Shipping companies have rerouted vessels around Africa, adding time and cost to oil deliveries.
The administration has maintained that its actions are necessary to protect global energy markets and respond to Iranian aggression.
Tehran maintains that its moves in the strait are defensive responses to U.S. and Israeli strikes.
So far, the Iranian leaders have yet to respond to Trump’s new threats.
Meanwhile, oil prices in the United States and globally have been rising sharply since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war in late February. The prices are expected to go even higher if the the Strait of Hormuz stays closed any longer.
