Under the "ultimatum": Iran reiterates "if power plants are attacked, it will retaliate in kind," US considers ground troops to "seize island."

Under the "ultimatum": Iran reiterates "if power plants are attacked, it will retaliate in kind," US considers ground troops to "seize island."

The tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, with both sides' confrontation over energy infrastructure and strategic waterways approaching a critical point.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump issued a "final ultimatum" on March 21 local time, demanding that Iran fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, otherwise the US will strike and destroy various Iranian power plants. Iran responded strongly, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps clearly stating that if Iranian power stations are attacked, they will retaliate against all Israeli power facilities and power infrastructure supplying electricity to US military bases in the Middle East, and will completely close the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, according to the Israeli Jerusalem Post, senior US officials have informed Israel and other countries that the US "may have no choice" but to launch a ground military operation against Iran's Khark Island, with US forces accelerating the deployment of thousands of Marines to the Middle East.

These developments have significantly increased market concerns about geopolitical risks in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil transport routes. Iranian parliamentary speaker Kalibaf warned that if Iranian infrastructure is attacked, important energy and oil facilities across the Middle East will become legitimate targets, and "oil prices will increase for a long time."

Trump issues "final ultimatum": 48-hour deadline triggers standoff

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump wrote on social media on March 21 local time, strongly demanding that Iran fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours without threats and warning: "The United States will strike and destroy all kinds of Iranian power plants, starting with the largest one!"

Iran's largest power facility is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in the southwest. According to Iranian Press TV, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was deliberately attacked on the night of March 17, with the attack site only 200 meters from the nuclear reactor.

On March 20, Trump also said that the US is "very close" to achieving its goal and is considering gradually de-escalating military action against Iran, and that the Strait of Hormuz must be guarded by countries using the waterway.

Iran responds toughly: Lists four "punitive" measures

In response to Trump's threat, multiple Iranian official agencies have issued tough statements.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Iran's armed forces issued a statement on March 22, listing four "punitive" measures that would be immediately launched if the US attacks Iranian power plants:

First, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed until Iran's damaged power facilities are rebuilt;

Second, there will be large-scale strikes against all Israeli power facilities, energy and communications infrastructure;

Third, all US-owned companies in the Middle East will be completely destroyed;

Fourth, in all countries in the region with US military bases, their power facilities will become legitimate targets.

The statement said: "If the enemy damages our power facilities, we will defend national interests at all costs."

According to Reuters, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement on March 23, further clarifying the logic of reciprocal retaliation: "We are determined to respond to any threat with equal deterrence ... You hit power, we hit power."

The statement also denied rumors that Iran intended to attack Gulf countries' desalination facilities, saying Trump's accusations regarding the Revolutionary Guard plans to attack desalination facilities are "lies."

Iranian parliamentary speaker Kalibaf also warned on the 22nd that if Iran's power stations and other infrastructure are attacked, important energy and oil facilities across the Middle East will be regarded as legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed, "oil prices will rise for a long time."

Iran insists the Strait is not blocked, but sets passage conditions

On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s position displays a certain nuance.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on March 22, saying that the Strait of Hormuz has not been blocked and, under necessary measures taken due to war circumstances, ships can still sail in the waterway.

The statement pointed out that ships belonging to the United States, Israel, and other countries involved in aggression do not meet the conditions for normal and non-hostile passage; while ships from other countries that are non-hostile, as long as they have not participated in or cooperated in aggression against Iran, and follow the security regulations announced by Iran, may safely pass after coordinating with Iranian authorities.

Iranian President Pezeh Kizian wrote on the evening of the 22nd local time, that the Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone, "except for the aggressors who infringe on Iranian territory."

Iran’s armed forces also emphasized in their statement that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under Iran’s "smart control" and that "innocuous passage within the framework of specific rules will continue, as long as it ensures Iran's security and interests."

US accelerates deployment, "island seize" plan emerges

Meanwhile, movements in US military deployments have attracted intense attention.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing the Israeli Jerusalem Post report from March 23, senior US officials have recently informed Israel and other countries that the US "may have no choice" but to launch a ground operation against Iran’s Khark Island.

The report, citing two informed sources, says that the US military is accelerating the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to the Middle East, including the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, the USS Portland amphibious transport dock, and the USS Comstock dock landing ship, carrying about 4,500 Marines and other combat personnel.

Khark Island is located in the northwest part of the Persian Gulf, about 25 kilometers from Iran's coast. It is Iran's largest crude oil export base, with about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exported from the island. Trump threatened on March 15 that the United States is ready to launch new strikes against Khark Island and may further target Iran’s oil infrastructure.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency on March 21, citing an Iranian military source, if the US launches a "military invasion" of Khark Island, Iran will launch an "unprecedented counterattack" since US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

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