With just over 24 hours left on the ultimatum issued by former US President Donald Trump, tensions are rising over whether Iran will comply with demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic.
Trump has warned that failure to do so could trigger US strikes on Iranian power plants, marking a significant escalation in the crisis.
Hassan Ahmadian, an associate professor of West Asian Studies at the University of Tehran, described the situation as a turning point, noting that Iran’s current posture stems from pressures following recent conflict.
He said the Strait of Hormuz had remained open for global shipments until tensions intensified, adding that Iran now views control of the waterway as its most important source of leverage against the United States.
According to Ahmadian, there are no clear indications that Tehran is prepared to back down, suggesting that Iranian authorities are unlikely to capitulate under pressure.
Trump, however, appears to be relying on the threat of targeting civilian infrastructure to force a shift in Iran’s position.
But Iranian officials have already signalled a possible response, warning of wider retaliatory strikes across the region, including in Israel, if such attacks are carried out.
The standoff raises fears of a broader regional conflict, as both sides maintain hardline positions with little sign of de-escalation.
