Trump Demands Hormuz Open, Threatens Iran Strikes

This threat emerges amidst an ongoing Middle East war, which began on February 28, 2026, with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The conflict has resulted in Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities and Gulf economic infrastructure, causing world energy prices to soar and Iran to block the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, condemned Trump's "reckless moves" as "war crimes" and accused him of following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commands. Russia, through Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, also criticized the US's "language of ultimatums." The United Arab Emirates, via presidential adviser Anwar Gargash, confirmed readiness to join any American-led effort to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, warning Iran that its actions will increase American and Israeli influence in the Gulf.

The article also details the rescue of a US airman, whose F-15E fighter jet was shot down, with two US transport aircraft destroyed to prevent capture, while Iran claimed its forces destroyed four US aircraft and killed five people during the operation.