Iran derided Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum as “powerless”, “nervous” and “stupid” late on Saturday, hours after the US president threatened to unleash “hell” if Tehran does not strike a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Remember when I gave Iran 10 days to GET THE DEAL or OPEN THE HORMUZ FLOOR. Time is running out – 48 hours before all hell breaks loose on them. Praise God!,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, prompting sharp responses from Iran.
In response, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Command, rejected Trump’s ultimatum, calling it a powerless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” AFP news agency reported.
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The Iranian general also echoed the language of Trump’s Truth Social post and fired back, saying, “The simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you.”
Trump had previously issued a ten-day ultimatum to Tehran, but in the meantime extended a pause in strikes on Iranian infrastructure until April 6.
At the time, the US president attributed the pause to good and productive talks with Iran, a claim Tehran has since rejected.
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“At the request of the Iranian government, please let this statement serve as a statement that I am suspending the period of destruction of the energy plant for 10 days until Monday, April 6, 2026, 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Talks are continuing and, despite false statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others, are going very well,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on March 26.
Earlier, the US president announced a five-day delay in strikes against Iran’s power plants, citing continued commitments to Tehran.
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Gas prices, mid-term and slump approval
Trump’s escalating rhetoric on the Strait of Hormuz comes amid a sharp rise in global oil prices, with benchmark Brent crude touching $109 a barrel on Saturday.
While the price of Brent crude has risen more than 50% since the start of the war, which was triggered by US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, gas prices have also seen a sharp rise in the US, which concerns key mid-term elections this year.
The average U.S. gas price rose to $4.10 this week, up 12 cents from last week, according to AAA data. March also marked the first time since 2022 that US gas prices topped $4, and prices rose 37% since February 28.
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While Trump assured Americans in a speech last week that the price hike would be short-lived, the Strait of Hormuz – through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes – still remains effectively closed, with Iran allowing only the vessels of selected countries to transit.
According to a March 24 Reuters poll, the US president also has the lowest approval rating of this election period, at just 36%. A majority of Americans also oppose the Iran war, with 61% disapproving of the strikes and 35% supporting them.
