President Donald Trump said the U.S. will «hit and obliterate» Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t opened within 48 hours
«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!» Trump said in a post on his social media platform.
The largest power plant in Iran is thought to be the Damavand Combined Cycle Power Plant — which is located in the outskirts of the capital city Tehran.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, March 19, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway off Iran’s southern coast that normally handles about 20% of global oil consumption — since the start of the war.
Trump’s post came as he floated on Friday that he was considering «winding down» the U.S.’s military campaign, claiming the U.S. was «very close to meeting our objectives.»
Trump also said Friday that the U.S. would «help» Gulf states secure and police the Strait of Hormuz «if asked.»
