Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum to Iran amid Strait of Hormuz crisis

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has issued another stern 48-hour warning to Iran, as Washington seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without progress in talks.

The ultimatum comes as the US and Iran enter their sixth week of a dispute that has already drawn in several countries and shaken global energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been cut off amid Operation Epic Fury, raising fears of a wider economic crisis. Trump’s warning comes after an April 6 deadline for Iran to either attack the deal or restore access, signaling the possibility of a rapid military escalation if diplomacy fails.

Meanwhile, the US military is searching for a missing service member after two US aircraft went missing in separate incidents, the first confirmed shootdown since the war with Iran began nearly six weeks ago.

A fighter jet crashed in remote southwestern Iran, with one crew member rescued and another still missing amid ongoing search and rescue operations.

In a separate incident, an A-10 aircraft went down over the Persian Gulf. Iranian state media has claimed it was targeted by an air defense system, but US officials have not confirmed whether the plane was shot down or crashed. The Trump administration has yet to officially comment on the incident.

With global oil markets on edge and tensions skyrocketing, the next 48 hours could determine whether the world sees a catastrophic escalation or a delicate diplomatic breakthrough.