Tensions in West Asia sharpened on Sunday after US President Donald Trump warned that the United States would strike Iran’s power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours. The statement points to a possible shift in the conflict, away from military targets and towards critical civilian systems, with potentially serious humanitarian and economic fallout.
With the clock now ticking, the next two days could prove decisive, not just for the region, but for global energy flows and market stability.
The 48-hour ultimatum
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran must ensure the Strait of Hormuz is “fully open, without threat” within 48 hours. Failing that, he warned, the US would begin targeting Iranian power plants.
He added that any such strikes would begin with “the biggest one first,” a remark that has drawn attention to the country’s largest electricity facilities.
The warning comes at a time when shipping through the strait has already been disrupted, fuelling concerns over oil supply and pushing up global energy prices.
Why this marks a significant escalation
What stands out in Trump’s warning is the nature of the targets. Power plants are not frontline military assets; they are part of a country’s core civilian infrastructure.
Hitting them could trigger effects far beyond the battlefield:
- Prolonged power outages across cities
- Disruptions in hospitals and emergency services
- Water and sewage systems failing
- Wider humanitarian strain on the population
In practical terms, such strikes would impact daily life for millions, raising the stakes of the conflict considerably.
Focus shifts to the ‘largest’ target
Iran operates several large power stations, including the Damavand plant near Tehran (around 2,868 MW), Kerman in the southeast (about 1,910 MW), and the Ramin plant in Khuzestan (roughly 1,890 MW).
Because Trump specifically referred to “the biggest,” attention has centred on the Damavand facility, one of the country’s most important power hubs.
Reports suggest such high-capacity gas-based plants could be among potential targets if the threat is carried out.
Why Damavand is strategically important
The Damavand plant plays a key role in keeping electricity flowing in and around Tehran, a region with heavy demand and dense population.
- Capacity: roughly 2,868 MW
- Location: Pakdasht, near Tehran
- Type: combined-cycle gas plant
Facilities like this help stabilise the grid and meet peak demand. A disruption here would likely ripple across the wider network, affecting both households and industry.
Iran’s warning of retaliation
Iran has made it clear that any strike on its infrastructure will not go unanswered.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has indicated it could respond by targeting US and allied infrastructure in the region.
That raises the risk of a broader cycle of attacks, potentially extending beyond military sites to energy, transport and other critical systems.
For now, the crisis appears to be entering a more dangerous phase, where the line between military and civilian targets could become increasingly blurred.