Trump threatens to ‍‍`obliterate‍‍` Iran‍‍`s energy infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz not opened

President Donald Trump said today (30 March) the United States was in ​talks with a "more reasonable regime" to end ‌the war in Iran, but repeated his warning to Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on its oil wells ​and power plants.

"Great progress has been made ​but, if for any reason a deal is ⁠not shortly reached, which it probably will be, ​and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‍‍`Open for ​Business,‍‍` we will conclude our lovely ‍‍`stay‍‍` in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil ​Wells and Kharg Island," Trump wrote in a ​social media post.The US president said last week he would pause attacks on Iran‍‍`s energy plants for 10 days, which would be until 6 April ​US time.

While Trump ​has said ⁠the US and Iran are making progress in talks, he has also been ​sending more US troops to the region, ​leading ⁠Iran‍‍`s parliament speaker to accuse Washington of sending messages about possible negotiations while planning a ground invasion, prompting ⁠more ​defiance from Tehran.

Iranian leaders have ​denied being in direct talks with the US.