Trump Threatens to 'Obliterate' Iran's Power Plants Over Strait of Hormuz

President's shifting strategy on securing the crucial waterway raises concerns about lack of clear war plan

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:35pm

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President Donald Trump is cycling through increasingly desperate options as he searches for a solution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has blocked the crucial global oil and gas transport waterway. Trump has shifted his approach repeatedly, from calls for diplomatic solutions to lifting sanctions and now escalating to a direct threat to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours.

Why it matters

Trump's erratic strategy has fueled criticism that he is grasping for answers after going to war with Iran without a clear exit plan. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is rattling global markets and pinching American consumers just months before pivotal midterm elections.

The details

Trump's latest threat to attack Iran's civilian power infrastructure has been condemned as a potential war crime, with legal scholars arguing that such widespread attacks on civilian targets would be inherently indiscriminate and violate the rules of warfare. The White House has defended the threat as a tactic to pressure Iran, but critics say Trump has lost control of the conflict and is panicking.

  • On Saturday, Trump issued the 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Last weekend, Trump called for a new international coalition to send warships to the strait, but allies turned him down.
  • On Friday, Trump suggested other countries would have to take over securing the strait as the U.S. eyes an exit.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has been cycling through increasingly desperate options to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has blocked the crucial global oil and gas transport waterway.

Ed Markey

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who criticized Trump's threat to attack Iran's power plants as a war crime.

Chris Murphy

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Connecticut who said Trump has 'lost control of the war and is panicking'.

Thom Tillis

A Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina who said Trump can't 'all of a sudden walk away' from the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

Geoffrey Corn

A military law professor at Texas Tech University and retired Army lieutenant colonel who served as a military lawyer, and who said Trump's threat has 'a feeling of ready, fire, aim'.

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What they’re saying

“Trump has no plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, so he is threatening to attack Iran's civil power plants. This would be a war crime.”

— Ed Markey, U.S. Senator

“He's lost control of the war and he is panicking.”

— Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator

“You can't all of a sudden walk away after you've kind of created the event and expect other people to pick it up.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

“It certainly has a feeling of ready, fire, aim. He overestimated his ability to control the events once he unleashed this torrent of violence.”

— Geoffrey Corn, Military Law Professor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.