UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump agree that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is “essential to resume global shipping” during a call late on Sunday
Earlier this weekend, Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power plants if the Strait was not reopened within 48 hours – why is the waterway vital for oil shipping?
Iran says the Strait is “open to all except those who violate our soil” – but warns it stands ready to “completely” shut access to the waterway if its energy infrastructure is struck
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it expects to face “several more weeks of fighting” against Iran and Hezbollah as it prepares to expand its operations in Lebanon
Trump’s deadline for Iran to unblock Hormuz looms
We are about 24 hours away from US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to re-open the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels.
Trump yesterday posted on his Truth Social platform saying the US would “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran did not unconditionally re-open the waterway.
Trump posted at 23:44 GMT on 21 March. That means Iran has until 23:44 GMT on 23 March (03:14 in Tehran on 24 March), to open the Strait.
Tehran has since said it would target US-linked oil fields in the Gulf Region if it were attacked.
Americans urged to exercise increased caution ‘worldwide’published at 04:4204:42
The US State Department has issued an updated caution to Americans across the world due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Writing on X, the department calls on Americans “worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution”.
“Periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted,” it says.
“Groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.”
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