Trump Warns Iran of 'Hell' if Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Beyond Tuesday

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 p.m. Washington time on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, threatening to attack Iranian power plants and bridges if the deadline is not met. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all in one, in Iran," and warned that Iran would "live in hell" if the strait remained blocked. The ultimatum followed an earlier 48-hour deadline issued on Saturday, which Trump subsequently extended by 24 hours. Trump also told Axios that the United States is "in deep negotiations" with Iran and that an agreement could be reached before the final deadline. A White House press conference accompanied by military personnel was announced for Sunday, at which Trump was expected to elaborate on the ultimatum's terms.

Mediators race to broker 45-day ceasefire before deadline Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are mediating last-minute negotiations aimed at securing a 45-day ceasefire, according to Axios, which cited four American, Israeli, and regional sources familiar with the talks. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have been exchanging messages as part of the diplomatic effort. However, the same sources told Axios that the probability of reaching even a partial agreement is minimal, describing the effort as the only chance to avoid a dramatic escalation that could include mass attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and retaliatory strikes on energy and water facilities in Gulf countries. Iran's IRGC stated that the Strait of Hormuz will not "be what it was" and announced that its Naval Force is "finalizing technical operational preparations" for a new order in the Persian Gulf. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh warned that if Iranian infrastructure is attacked, Tehran will respond "in the same way." An Iranian parliamentary commission separately approved a bill to impose transit fees on ships crossing the strait, including a transit ban for the United States and Israel and restrictions for countries participating in sanctions against Iran.

„Open the damn strait, you damn fools, or you're going to live in hell” — Donald Trump via Truth Social

„If Iran's infrastructure is attacked, the country will react in the same way” — Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh via Notícias ao Minuto

Oil surges as Hormuz traffic falls 90% below pre-war levels Oil prices surged sharply following Trump's latest threats, with WTI reaching as high as $115.48 per barrel and Brent crude trading at $109.73 per barrel on the London futures market as of early Monday morning. Brent accumulated an appreciation of 63% in March alone, the largest monthly increase since at least 1988, according to market data collected by the EFE agency. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen 90% below pre-war levels, with the Fars news agency reporting that only 15 ships crossed the waterway with Iranian authorization in the preceding 24 hours. The OPEC+ alliance agreed on Sunday to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day starting May 1, 2026, but the decision was described as symbolic given that the blockade makes implementation impossible. The eight participating energy ministers expressed concern about attacks on energy infrastructure, noting that recovery of damaged energy assets "is costly and time-consuming." Analysts cited in reporting warned that if the situation continues, the price of a barrel of oil could reach $150.

2026-04-06T06:15: 109.73, 2026-04-06T22:45: 114.76

63% (monthly gain) — Brent crude's March 2026 appreciation, largest since at least 1988

China, Russia demand ceasefire as Japan braces for prolonged crisis Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by telephone on Sunday, with both calling for an "immediate ceasefire" and a return to diplomatic channels. Wang stated that "the fundamental solution to the problem of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities," and said China is willing to cooperate with Russia in the UN Security Council to reduce tensions. Lavrov declared that Russia is "extremely concerned about the continuous escalation of the situation in the Middle East" and called for military operations to cease immediately. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan has sufficient oil reserves for approximately eight months and that procurement from alternative suppliers "is progressing steadily." Takaichi also told parliament that preparations are underway to hold talks with Iranian leaders "when appropriate," and that Japan is preparing for "any situation," including a prolonged conflict. Japan imports approximately 90% of its oil from the Middle East, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already forced the country to release millions of barrels from strategic reserves and to subsidize oil companies to reduce fuel prices.

The conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial airstrikes, along with other Iranian leaders. Lebanon's Hezbollah movement entered the conflict on March 2, 2026, prompting Israel to launch large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon and a land offensive in the country's south. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and 45% of China's energy imports normally transit, has been almost entirely closed since the war began, triggering a global energy crisis. Thousands of people have died since the start of the conflict, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, according to reporting by RTP.

„The fundamental solution to the problem of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities” — Wang Yi via Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

„Military operations must cease immediately and the conflict must return to the political and diplomatic path to address its root causes” — Sergey Lavrov via Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs