Donald Trump has said ‘hell will reign down’ on Iran if the Middle Eastern country doesn’t re-open the Strait of Hormuz by Monday (April 6).
Iran’s move to block the key passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman has sent energy prices climbing worldwide.
In some places, supplies are reportedly getting uncomfortably low, and the conflict is also hitting the travel sector as uncertainty ripples through the region.
Speaking in a recent address, Trump drew attention for momentarily renaming the area the ‘Strait of Trump’ while giving an update on the situation involving Iran.
The president said: “We’re negotiating now, and it’d be great if we could do something, but they have to open it up. They have to open up the Strait of Trump — I mean, Hormuz. Excuse me, I’m so sorry, such a terrible mistake.
“The fake news will say he accidentally said — there’s no accidents with me, not too many. If there were, we’d have a major story.”
With the standoff showing little sign of easing, Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday (April 4) with a hard deadline, urging Iran to reopen Hormuz.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” the Republican president penned.
“Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.”
Iran responded swiftly, with senior Iranian military officer, Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, issuing a warning of his own, saying ‘the gates of hell will open for you’.
The developments follow Trump’s announcement early Sunday (April 5) that the second pilot from the downed F-15E jet downed by Iran had been rescued.
The president confirmed in a Truth Social post: “WE GOT HIM!”
He added: “My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!”
Iranian state media said its forces brought the plane down on Friday (April 3), while US personnel recovered one co-pilot soon after the incident.
Efforts then continued to locate the second crew member, with Trump later saying the pilot had been found injured, ‘but he will be just fine’.