Trump Threatens Iran Over Strait of Hormuz, New Ransom Note in Guthrie Case

Deadline looms as tensions escalate in the Middle East and a high-profile kidnapping case takes a dark turn.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a ship sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, with the ship's wake and waves rendered in bold, overlapping geometric shapes and vibrant, clashing colors, creating a sense of motion and urgency.As tensions escalate over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the threat of military conflict looms large.Savannah Today

President Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. tonight to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face another round of military strikes that he says will "bomb them back to the Stone Age." Meanwhile, TMZ reports they have received a new twisted ransom note in the case of kidnapped news anchor Nancy Guthrie, just hours after her colleague Savannah Guthrie returned to the "Today" show anchor desk.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping chokepoint, and any closure or disruption could have major economic and geopolitical consequences. The Guthrie kidnapping case has captivated the nation, and this new development adds further mystery and urgency to the high-profile investigation.

The details

President Trump issued the ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil supply flows. Iran has previously threatened to close the strait in response to U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, entertainment news outlet TMZ says they received a new ransom note related to the kidnapping of NBC News anchor Nancy Guthrie, who was abducted from her home in Savannah, Georgia several weeks ago. The note's contents have not been disclosed, but it comes just as Guthrie's colleague Savannah Guthrie returned to co-anchor the "Today" show.

  • President Trump set an 8 p.m. deadline tonight for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Savannah, Georgia several weeks ago.
  • Savannah Guthrie returned to co-anchor the "Today" show just hours before the new ransom note was received.

The players

President Trump

The current President of the United States who has issued an ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran

The Middle Eastern country that controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping chokepoint.

Nancy Guthrie

A news anchor who was kidnapped from her home in Savannah, Georgia several weeks ago.

Savannah Guthrie

A news anchor at NBC's "Today" show who returned to the anchor desk just hours before a new ransom note was received in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

TMZ

An entertainment news outlet that reported receiving a new ransom note related to the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

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What they’re saying

“Iran has until 8 p.m. tonight to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk another round of strikes that will, in my words, bomb them back to the Stone Age.”

— President Trump

What’s next

President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is set for 8 p.m. tonight, raising the stakes in the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Authorities are also closely examining the new ransom note received by TMZ in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, hoping it will provide new leads to help locate the missing news anchor.

The takeaway

The dual crises unfolding - the threat of military conflict over the Strait of Hormuz and the high-profile kidnapping of a national news anchor - underscore the complex geopolitical and domestic security challenges facing the United States in this volatile period.