Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran power plants if Hormuz not reopened in 48 hours; Key power plants at risk

US President escalates pressure as Strait of Hormuz disruption rattles oil markets and allies stay cautious

• Trump threatens to hit Iran energy sites over Hormuz closure
• Strait of Hormuz disruption raises oil supply and price concerns
• Striking power plants may escalate tensions and hurt Iran’s industry

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US President Donald Trump on March 22 warned that Washington could strike Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, marking one of the sharpest escalations in the ongoing standoff.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz… the United States… will hit and obliterate their various power plants,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that the strikes would begin with the country’s “biggest” facility.

He did not specify which plant he was referring to.

The threat comes at a time when maritime traffic through the Strait, a critical artery for global oil flows, appears severely disrupted, sending shockwaves across energy markets and raising fears of supply constraints.

Potential targets: Iran’s energy backbone

While Trump did not name specific facilities, analysts say Iran’s power and energy infrastructure spans hundreds of sites, making any targeted strike highly consequential.

Iran is estimated to have around 400 power plants, including one nuclear facility, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on the southern coast.

Among its largest thermal power plants are:

• Damavand Combined Cycle Power Plant (2,868 MW) in Tehran
• Kerman Combined Cycle Power Plant (1,912 MW)
• Ramin Steam Power Plant (1,890 MW) in Khuzestan
• Neka (Shahid Salimi) Power Plant (1,760 MW) in Mazandaran
• Shahid Mohammad Montazeri Power Plant (1,600 MW) in Isfahan

These facilities form the backbone of Iran’s electricity supply and industrial activity.

Separately, Kharg Island, located about 30 km off Iran’s coast, remains central to its oil exports, handling roughly 90 percent of crude shipments, according to a recent JPMorgan note cited by AFP.

Notably, previous US strikes in the region targeted military assets on Kharg Island but avoided damaging its oil infrastructure.

Trump had earlier said he had “chosen NOT to wipe out” the island’s energy facilities, a stance he now appears willing to revisit.

Escalation risks and market implications

Targeting power plants, especially large thermal or nuclear-linked infrastructure, would mark a significant escalation beyond conventional military strikes.

Such a move could disrupt domestic electricity supply in Iran, hit industrial output, and potentially trigger wider retaliation across the region.

For global markets, the risks are immediate:

• Oil supply shock: Any sustained disruption in Hormuz could tighten global crude supply
• Price volatility: Energy prices may spike further, feeding into inflation globally
• Shipping risks: Insurance and freight costs could surge, affecting trade flows

The situation also carries political implications for Trump, who faces midterm elections later this year amid rising fuel prices and market uncertainty.