Trump Issues New Ultimatum to Iran as Hormuz Stalemate Drives Oil to $105

As the conflict between the United States and Iran enters its 37th day, President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric, threatening significant strikes on Iranian infrastructure. In a social media post, the President warned that if a Monday deadline is not met, the U.S. would initiate strikes on power plants and bridges on Tuesday. This ultimatum comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, though Iranian officials have reportedly submitted a conditional proposal to reopen the waterway during ongoing, albeit stalled, negotiations in Doha. The economic toll of the standoff continues to mount, with global oil prices spiking to $105 per barrel. The maritime blockade has extended its impact to the Red Sea, causing widespread volatility in energy markets and forcing Gulf states to bolster defenses around critical oil infrastructure. Regional tensions are further complicated by reports of unrest in Lebanon involving Iranian proxies and increased military coordination between U.S. and Israeli forces. On the military front, Iranian state media claimed the destruction of four U.S. aircraft during recent operations. While U.S. officials have not confirmed the total number, a spokesperson acknowledged that at least one aircraft was intentionally destroyed by American forces to prevent sensitive technology from being captured. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has maintained a high-level warning regarding the potential for the regional conflict to escalate into a broader global war.