Trump's threat to Iran

UNITED States President Donald Trump warned the US will "obliterate" Iranian power plants if Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

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Mr Trump's statement came a few hours after Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late on Saturday night, leaving buildings shattered and dozens injured in dual attacks not far from Israel’s main nuclear research centre.

The developments signalled the Middle East war was moving in a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.

Mr Trump - who is facing increasing pressure at home to secure the Strait as oil prices soar - issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend at his Florida home.

Mr Trump said he is giving Iran 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks. He said the US would destroy “various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”