Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran Ahead of Deadline on Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran on Saturday via Truth Social, referencing a prior 10-day deadline for Iran to make a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that 48 hours remained before consequences would follow. The post read: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT.

Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, serving as a key chokepoint for one-fifth of the world's oil supply. The U.S. set the Monday deadline independently. The conflict between the U.S. and Iran began in late February, involving U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets.

On Friday, Iranian forces shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle over Iranian territory, marking the first known instance of an American aircraft downed inside the country since the conflict started. Two crew members ejected from the plane. A U.S. official reported that U.S. forces rescued one service member, while the status of the second remains unknown.

U.S. forces conducted a search-and-rescue mission for the missing service member. During the operation, a U.S. Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a second search-and-rescue helicopter were struck but managed to escape, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, commented on the incident on Friday. He stated that the downing of the aircraft occurred one day after President Trump claimed in a primetime address that the U.S. had eliminated Iran's anti-aircraft capabilities.

“And now, just a day after he told the entire world –– all the American people –– that they had successfully taken out all of Iran’s anti-aircraft capability, they’ve shot not just one but two aircraft out of the sky.”