Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to open Strait of Hormuz

Here is a rundown of latest headlines surrounding the crisis in the Middle East as the United States (US) and Israel’s war against Iran enters the fourth week:

• US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that they will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants, starting with the biggest one, if they refuse to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
• Iran warned that it will retaliate and target all US-linked energy infrastructure in the Middle East if the US attacks its power plants. In a statement published on Sunday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed if the US executes threats against its energy facilities, adding that companies with US shares will be ‘completely destroyed.’
• Iran’s representative to the United Nations’ maritime agency stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping, excluding vessels linked to its enemies.
• In a joint statement released on Saturday, foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for “immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks by Iran,” and reiterated that the G7 stands ready to take necessary steps to support the global energy supply.
• Iran fired long-range missiles for the first time since the beginning of the conflict and hit the southern Israeli town of Dimona, located near military bases and Israel’s Negev Nuclear Research Center. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had received no indication of damage to the nuclear facility. The BBC reported that more than 160 people have been injured – some seriously – in the attack.