US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to “wipe out” Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
“If Iran does not FULLY open the Strait of Hormuz WITHOUT THREAT within exactly 48 HOURS from now, the United States of America will strike and obliterate its various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST FIRST!,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
However, the US president did not specify which power plant he identified as Iran’s largest.
Trump’s post comes amid escalating concerns over the effective shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which appears to have rattled energy markets around the world, and with the US president facing an election mid-year.
Over the past few days, amid rising energy prices, Trump has repeatedly called for an ally to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but has received little support, with some countries such as Japan and Australia outright rejecting his calls. Meanwhile, others have indicated a willingness to provide some assistance, with the UK allowing the US to use its air bases to conduct operations against actors threatening trade across the key waterway.
The Trump administration has also taken steps to ease concerns about rising energy prices, allowing countries to temporarily buy Russian and Iranian oil stranded offshore.
Which Iranian energy sites could the US target?
Earlier, the US military carried out strikes against military targets on the Iranian island of Kharg, but refrained from hitting the island’s oil infrastructure.
Trump, who said at the time he “didn’t decide not to wipe out” Kharg Island’s energy infrastructure, warned: “However, if Iran or anyone else does anything to disrupt the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider that decision.”
Kharg Island, located about 30 kilometers from the Iranian mainland, provides about 90% of Iran’s oil exports, AFP reported, citing a recent JPMorgan report.
However, while the island ensures the export of oil from Tehran, Iran’s largest power plants are located elsewhere.
Reports say Iran has around 400 power plants, one of which is nuclear – the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on its southern coast, 750 miles south of Tehran.
Among its thermal power plants, Iran’s largest is said to be the 2,868 MW Damavand combined cycle plant in Tehran, followed by the 1,912 MW Kerman combined cycle plant in Kerman, the 1,890 MW Ramin steam turbine plant in Khuzestan, the 1,760 MW Stehid Neberan plant, Mazbinika and the Turanda (Sha) plant. The 1,600 MW Shahid Mohammad Montazeri Power Plant in Isfahan.
