The US-Israel-Iran confrontation intensified as US President Donald Trump warned that the United States could strike Iran's power infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The warning followed weeks of escalating exchanges between the United States, Israel and Iran that have disrupted energy flows and intensified regional hostilities.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage critical for nearly one‑fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, has seen sharply reduced traffic as conflict‑related threats deter maritime transit.

Hormuz Strait ultimatum

Trump's 48-hour ultimatum linked the security of global shipping lanes to potential US military action, emphasizing Washington's readiness to strike Iran's energy and power infrastructure.

As part of his ultimatum, Trump threatened on social media that "If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on social media on Saturday.

Iran responded by warning that it would retaliate against US and allied energy and desalination infrastructure in the Gulf if its own energy facilities were struck. Iranian military leadership indicated that counter‑strikes could include critical economic targets beyond purely military sites.

Tehran also declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open only to vessels not linked to "Iran's enemies" countries, according to Iran's representative to the UN maritime agency, effectively tightening access to shipping, and emphasized cooperation with international agencies to ensure maritime safety for non‑hostile transit.

Escalation of strikes

Military clashes between Israel and Iran continue amid the broader US-Iran confrontation. Air raid sirens sounded across central, northern and southern Israel following Iranian missile and rocket launches on Sunday, with explosions reported in Jerusalem and Shephelah. Residents took shelter as emergency services responded.

Iranian missile strikes have wounded more than 175 civilians in Arad and Dimona, including children, causing damage to residential buildings. Some projectiles reportedly evaded Israel's air defenses, prompting investigations and a nationwide upgrade of security alerts, including school closures.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that mediation efforts are underway by several countries to end the US and Israeli war against Iran, voicing Iran's openness to any initiative to that end.

He said Iran does not seek a ceasefire, "but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," reminding that the war has been "imposed" on Iran.

According to Iranian media reports, Iran's death toll in the ongoing conflict has topped 1,500, with over 80,000 civilian sites attacked.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck a strategic research and development facility in Tehran, allegedly used by Iran to develop nuclear weapons components. It also carried out a large-scale wave of strikes in Tehran overnight, targeting facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) producing critical components for ballistic missiles.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the intensity of strikes on the Iranian government and the country's infrastructure by the United States and Israel will increase "significantly" in the coming week "until all security threats to Israel and US interests in the region are removed," including increasing naval presence and positioning forces to secure key energy infrastructure and support allied operations if needed.

Early on Sunday, the Israeli military said in a brief statement that Israeli forces were currently conducting strikes on "Iranian terror regime targets" in central Tehran.

Regional fallout

Amid the heightened conflict, Saudi Arabia declared the Iranian embassy's military attaché and four other embassy staff personae non gratae and asked them to leave the country within 24 hours, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Saturday in a statement.

The decision was a result of the Iranian attacks against countries including Saudi Arabia, it said, adding that the country will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to preserve its sovereignty, safeguard its security, and protect its territory, airspace, citizens, residents, capabilities and interests in accordance with the UN Charter.

Global impact: rising energy and food costs

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities have pushed oil prices sharply higher, raising concerns over global inflation. Analysts warn that prolonged instability could further strain markets.

The conflict is disrupting fertilizer shipments and energy supplies, driving prices for urea and other fertilizers up 30-40% and threatening food security in Africa and South Asia. Crop yields, supply chains, and consumer costs face mounting pressure.

The Bank of England kept interest rates steady but warned that high energy costs could add to inflationary pressures, affecting households through higher fuel, heating, and food prices. Rising transport and production costs are feeding through supply chains.

Analysts caution that if strikes and shipping restrictions continue, inflation could worsen, global trade could be disrupted and energy‑intensive industries could remain vulnerable. The US, Israel and Iran remain locked in cycles of action and retaliation, keeping markets exposed.

(With input from agencies)