Will the US Launch a Major Attack on Iran? Donald Trump's 48-Hour Ultimatum Deadline Expires Today

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, the entire world has been left in shock by a message from US President Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump had given Iran a 48-hour deadline to halt hostilities and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. That deadline expires today. Just before this deadline lapsed, Trump posted a single line on his social media platform, Truth Social—a move that has heightened apprehensions that the United States may be poised to take severe action against Iran.

What did Donald Trump post on social media?

Trump’s post on Truth Social reads: "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, TO PUT IT MILDLY!!!" These words convey the meaning that, simply put, "peace is achieved through strength." Trump has adopted this phrase from Ronald Reagan’s "Doctrine of Deterrence." Reagan believed that if a nation possesses sufficient military and economic power, it can effectively deter adversaries from engaging in conflict. This very principle was regarded as a pivotal strategy during the Cold War era.

What has Iran threatened?

In response to Donald Trump’s ultimatum, Iran has declared that if the United States acts upon President Trump’s threat to strike power plants, the Strait of Hormuz—a vital waterway for oil and other exports—will be "completely shut down" immediately. Iran recently launched a missile attack on a clandestine nuclear research facility in Israel; the strike resulted in a significant number of injuries among residents in the surrounding areas. Following the attack, Israeli leaders visited the site to meet with the local population and assess their well-being.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that, miraculously, no lives were lost in the attack. Netanyahu further asserted that Israel and the United States are making rapid progress toward achieving their shared strategic objectives. These objectives include dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, curtailing its support for armed proxies, and empowering the Iranian people to overthrow the current religious regime. Over 2,000 Dead in Iran

Contrary to Israel's intentions, there has been no sign of either an uprising in Iran or an end to the conflict that has shaken the global economy, triggered a massive surge in oil prices, and jeopardized some of the world's busiest air routes. More than 2,000 people have been killed in this war, which was initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28.

What is happening in the Middle East?

Meanwhile, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates stated early Monday that their air defense systems were engaging incoming missile and drone attacks, while air-raid sirens were sounding in Bahrain. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—which connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world—and has declared that while vessels from non-hostile nations are permitted to pass through, attacks on shipping have brought nearly all tanker traffic to a standstill. Approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply passes through this strait.

Trump has stated that if Iran does not reopen the strait, the United States will "destroy its energy facilities, starting with the largest one." The U.S. argues that Iran's Revolutionary Guard controls the majority of the country's infrastructure and utilizes it to power its military operations. In response, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, took to 'X' to warn that if Iran's power plants and infrastructure are targeted, critical infrastructure across the entire region—including vital energy and water desalination facilities essential for providing drinking water to the Gulf nations—will be deemed legitimate targets and subsequently destroyed.