Tehran: Iran’s top military commander late on Saturday scorned US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum as a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” vowing in return to unleash calamity on American forces if tensions escalate further.
The sharp rebuke came hours after Trump warned of devastating consequences unless Tehran negotiates or clears the Strait of Hormuz. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!,” he posted on Truth Social on Saturday.
General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters commander, responded in kind: “the simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you,” AFP quoted him as saying.
Trump’s countdown builds on prior warnings and delays in US strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure. Initially, h
e issued a 10-day ultimatum, later pausing attacks until April 6.
“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others, they are going very well,” he wrote on Truth Social March 26 — claims Tehran has firmly denied.
This followed an earlier five-day delay, attributed to productive discussions with Iranian counterparts.
The standoff has fueled a global energy crisis, with Brent crude surging to $109 a barrel on Saturday. Oil prices have climbed over 50% since US and Israeli strikes ignited the conflict on February 28, as Iran restricts the Hormuz Strait—chokepoint for 20% of world oil—to vessels from favored nations only.
Domestically, US gas prices hit $4.10 per gallon this week, up 12 cents from last week and 37% since late February, marking the first time above $4 since 2022 (AAA data). With midterm elections looming, Trump last week promised Americans the spike would prove temporary.
Yet political headwinds mount: A Reuters poll from March 24 pegs his approval at a term-low 36%, with 61% of Americans opposing the Iran war and only 35% endorsing the strikes.