Time running out: Trump warns Iran of ‘hell’ if Hormuz Strait not reopened within 48 hours

Time is ticking, US President Donald Trump warned in his latest salvo against Iran, saying that if Tehran does not meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, “hell will rain down on them.”

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Earlier, Trump had extended the deadline by 10 days, pushing it to April 6 after expressing optimism over ongoing talks with Iran.

When Trump launched Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel on February 28, his administration outlined sweeping objectives: dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, crippling its navy, and blocking any pathway to a nuclear weapon.

However, more than a month into the conflict, those goals appear to have shifted repeatedly. Trump has alternated between suggesting a possible ground troop deployment and ruling it out altogether, even as the US military presence in the region has swelled to around 50,000 troops.

His messaging has also been inconsistent. In the fifth week of the war, Trump claimed the conflict had “nothing to do with oil,” only to later say the US should “take the oil & make a fortune.” He has similarly oscillated between declaring the war nearly over and warning of weeks of intensified strikes.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Trump’s stance has also evolved — from suggesting other nations could reopen it after a US withdrawal to asserting that Washington could “easily” manage the task itself.

Earlier, he warned that failure to reopen the strait would prompt strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, including power plants and oil wells, though he has ordered a pause on such attacks until April 6.

Tehran has rejected Trump’s proposals, calling them “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.”

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran has not refused to attend peace talks in Islamabad. He stressed that any negotiations must lead to a definitive and lasting resolution to the conflict.

“We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran seeks a “conclusive and lasting end” to what it calls an “illegal war.”

The remarks come amid reports of a potential impasse in Pakistan-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran. While some progress has reportedly been made through exchanged messages, momentum has slowed due to the absence of a clear signal from Iran.

Pakistan stepped in after the conflict spread across the Gulf region, attempting to facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran. Officials indicate that China has also urged Tehran to engage in negotiations, though Iran has yet to formally confirm its readiness.