48 hours before 'all hell rains down': Trump warns Iran
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, giving it 48 hours to either reach an agreement or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On March 26, Trump claimed he had extended the deadline to 10 days until April 6 at Iran's request. "Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!", he wrote on Truth Social.
Diplomatic engagement
What is the US proposal to Iran
Trump claimed that Iran had requested a seven-day pause on US strikes against its energy infrastructure. He said that in response, he had extended the deadline to 10 days, saying he was willing to give more time as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement. They said to me very nicely... 'Could we have more time?' Trump said, adding that if Iran doesn't comply, he would take action against their power plants.
Proposal rejection
Iran dismisses US proposal as 1-sided, unfair
Despite the extension, Iran has dismissed the US proposal as "one-sided and unfair." Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker has issued a veiled threat against another key waterway in the Middle East, namely, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strait sees around 25% of global container shipping traffic to and from the Suez Canal.
Supply chain vulnerability
Iran threatens to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Raising concerns over global supply chain vulnerabilities, Ghalibaf asked how much of the world's oil and other shipments pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. "What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertiliser shipments transits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?" he asked. He also asked which countries and companies have the highest transit volumes through this crucial passage.