Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by issuing a sharp warning ahead of a looming deadline for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of further military confrontation in the region.
In a post published Saturday on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had 48 hours to either “make a deal” or reopen the key maritime corridor, through which around 20 percent of global oil supply passes. The post drew attention not only for its tone but also for a misspelling, as Trump wrote that “all Hell will reign down,” instead of the correct “rain down.”
The warning follows an earlier deadline set for late March, which was extended to April 6 after Tehran requested more time. The Strait has become a central flashpoint since the outbreak of conflict on February 28, with Iran asserting control over the waterway and restricting access to vessels from countries it considers hostile.
Iran has allowed passage primarily to ships from countries it views as friendly, including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan. In a notable development, a French vessel was reportedly permitted to pass through on Friday, marking the first Western-linked ship to transit the Strait since the restrictions were imposed. The move came after French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint and called for efforts to ensure the waterway remains open.
Trump has signaled he is prepared to escalate military action if Iran does not comply, including the possibility of renewed strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Such threats have raised concerns among analysts about the risk of a broader regional conflict and potential violations of international law.
The standoff has already had significant economic repercussions. Disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to rising global oil prices. In the United States, gasoline prices have surged in recent weeks, reflecting supply concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.
Public opinion in the US appears increasingly uneasy. Surveys conducted by the Associated Press in partnership with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research show growing concern over the scale and direction of the conflict. Other polling indicates that skepticism is rising even among Republican voters, many of whom had supported Trump’s previous pledges to avoid new foreign wars.
In a recent national address, Trump claimed that US forces had significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities, stating that its navy and air force had been largely neutralized and that its missile arsenal was nearly depleted. However, reports citing US intelligence sources suggest that a substantial portion of Iran’s missile capacity remains intact, casting doubt on those claims.
The conflict continues to carry real risks on the ground. A F-15E Strike Eagle was recently shot down over Iranian territory. Both crew members ejected; one has been rescued, while the other remains missing.
According to the US Central Command, at least 13 American service members have been killed and more than 300 wounded since the start of the conflict. Iranian officials, meanwhile, report that Israeli and US airstrikes have killed more than 1,900 people inside Iran.
As the April 6 deadline approaches, the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remains highly volatile. The coming days are likely to prove critical in determining whether tensions ease or escalate further, with significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability.
