South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham signaled today that the White House is prepared to follow through on threats of massive military strikes against Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.
Following a phone call with the president on Saturday morning, Graham stated he is fully convinced that the administration will target Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure if a diplomatic solution is not reached by the April 6 deadline.
“After speaking with President Trump this morning, I am completely convinced that he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution,” Graham posted on X. He added that if the world doesn’t realize the president means what he says by now, “then I don’t know when it will ever be.”
The warning follows a social media post from the president earlier today, in which he told Iranian leaders that “time is running out.” After previously extending the deadline while noting that talks were “going very well,” the president appears to have returned to a hardline stance.
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“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” the president wrote. “Time is running out—48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”
The conflict centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane that has been largely choked off by Iranian forces.
While the president suggested in a White House address on Wednesday that the route would eventually open “naturally” because Iran needs to sell oil to rebuild, the current ultimatum demands an immediate end to the blockade.
Graham noted that he “totally” supports the use of force against energy sites if the deadline passes.
In response to the mounting pressure, Iran’s state-run Tasnim news agency reported today that officials will grant permission for vessels carrying “essential goods” to pass through the strait.
However, the Iranian government has not specified which items qualify as essential or whether the blockade will remain in effect for ships from nations it deems “hostile.”
With the 48-hour clock ticking toward April 6, military observers are watching to see if the partial opening for essential goods will be enough to avert the threatened strikes on Iran’s domestic power grid.
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