CAIRO/TEHRAN: President Donald Trump warned the US will “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Iran doesn’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours — a threat Iran’s military swiftly met with counter-threats to target American energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure across the region. The exchange marked a dangerous new escalation as the Middle East war entered its fourth week. Trump issued the ultimatum in a social media post from his Florida home, where he spent the weekend facing mounting domestic pressure as oil prices soar.

Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday as the war in the Middle East escalated into a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.

Trump issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend at his Florida home.