Trump to Iran: Reopen Hormuz within 48 hoursUS President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2026. As Tehran strikes IsraelWASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure, as Tehran launched its most destructive attack yet on Israel. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran after what he called a “very difficult evening” and hours later, the Israeli military said its forces launched a wave of strikes on Tehran. The United Arab Emirates said Saturday it faced aerial attacks after Iran warned it against allowing strikes from its territory on disputed islands near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has choked off the vital waterway, which carries a fifth of global crude oil trade in peacetime.

Source: Philippine Star March 22, 2026 16:06 UTC