US President Donald Trump don drop serious ultimatum for Iran on Saturday, say if dem no fully open Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, America go strike and destroy dia power plants. Dis na big escalation for di war wey don dey for four weeks now, just one day after Trump talk say e wan “wind down” di conflict.
Trump post for social media say: “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!” Dis threat mean say US strikes go now target infrastructure wey affect civilian life for Iran, including big power plants like Damavand near Tehran, Kerman plant for southeast, and Ramin steam power plant for Khuzestan province.
Iranian military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, don reply say if US attack dia fuel and energy infrastructure, dem go target all US energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure for di region. Dis exchange of threats come as di conflict enter dangerous new territory, with energy prices don spike after Iran respond to Israeli attack on dia major gas field by hitting Qatar‘s Ras Laffan Industrial City, wey process about one-fifth of world liquefied natural gas.
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir say Iranian forces don fire long-range ballistic missiles for di first time since di war begin on February 28. Two missiles with range of 4,000 km target US-British military base for Diego Garcia for Indian Ocean. Zamir warn say: “These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals – Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range.” British defense ministry source confirm di attack happen before government give specific authorization for US to use British military bases to strike Iranian missile sites.
For Israel, Iranian missiles strike southern cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday night, injuring dozens of people including children. Dimona na home to Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, wey many suspect produce nuclear material for Israel arsenal. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin say air defenses work but no intercept di strikes, and dem go investigate di incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say: “This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future. We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts.”
More than 2,000 people don die since di war begin, with 15 killed for Israel from Iranian strikes. Trump administration don send mixed messages about US goals throughout di war, leaving allies struggling to respond. Trump ultimatum on Saturday na di most abrupt shift yet, as US Marines and heavy landing craft continue head to di region.
Energy price shocks dey fuel inflation worldwide, hitting consumers and businesses hard. For UK, haulage firms and farmers dey “feel the pinch” as fuel prices rise. Wholesale oil and gas prices surge since conflict begin, with production and transportation of energy across Middle East slow or stop entirely due to missile strikes and drone attacks. One Somerset business director, Tristan Hann of JTS Snacks, say di rise dey cost dem about £600 extra per week.
Farmers for Stratton-on-the-Fosse like Jeremy Padfield report say price of red diesel almost double from 66.5p to 115p per litre since conflict start. Padfield warn say: “It’s going to put a lot of pressure on farmers and food prices, food inflation will have to go up to make it sustainable.” UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband accuse some of price gouging for fuel supply sector and say government no go tolerate profiteering from di conflict.
Di near-closure of Strait of Hormuz, wey serve as conduit for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, threaten global energy shock. European gas prices surge as much as 35% last week. Trump don accuse NATO allies of cowardice over dia reluctance to help open di strait, while some allies say dem go consider it but most reluctant to join war wey Trump start without consulting dem.
As di 48-hour countdown dey run, international community dey watch closely to see if Iran go comply with Trump ultimatum or if di conflict go escalate further. Di war don already cause significant civilian casualties, economic disruption, and geopolitical tension wey extend beyond Middle East to affect global energy markets and European security.
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