A deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without threats is set to expire at midnight local time on Monday. The ultimatum, announced 48 hours earlier, warned that if Iran failed to ensure free passage for ships, the United States would destroy Iran’s power plants. The situation has heightened fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East as the deadline approaches.

In response, Tehran warned that any U.S. or Israeli attack on its power facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries allied with Washington. Iran’s parliament speaker cautioned that such retaliation would cause irreversible destruction to critical installations in the region.

The standoff has drawn international concern, with observers noting that the expiration of the deadline could further destabilize the Gulf and intensify regional hostilities if neither side steps back from its threats.