Us president Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump demanded that Tehran either reopen the waterway for oil tanker traffic or agree to a comprehensive nuclear deal, warning that otherwise “all hell will reign down on them.” The sharp warning has further escalated tensions in a region already on edge.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump recalled that he had previously given Iran a 10-day deadline to “make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait.” He added that “time is running out – 48 hours before all hell will reign down on them.” On March 26, Trump had claimed that Tehran extended his negotiation deadline by sending him 10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers as a goodwill gesture, a statement that drew widespread skepticism.

The Gulf region has been on high alert since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint military offensive against Iran. The attacks have so far killed more than 1,340 people, including then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. In response to the offensive, Iran has also restricted ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil supply.

Türkiye has consistently called for restraint and dialogue between all parties. Ankara is particularly concerned about the Strait of Hormuz’s potential closure, which would severely impact global energy security and Türkiye’s own oil imports. As Trump’s 48-hour countdown ticks away, world powers are watching closely for Iran’s next move, while diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis appear to have stalled.