Trump Counterattack: 48-Hour Ultimatum! If Power Plants Are Bombed, Iran May Destroy Middle East Data Centers and Desalination Plants

Middle Eastern tensions may escalate again! Trump posted on social media this morning warning that if Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within “48 hours,” the United States will strike multiple power facilities inside Iran, emphasizing that they will “destroy from the largest one first.”

Iran quickly responded, stating that if its energy infrastructure is attacked, it will retaliate against key facilities of the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies. Targets include not only energy facilities but also information technology systems and desalination plants. The desalination plants are vital civilian infrastructure in the Middle East, and the IT systems likely refer to data centers in the region. Previously, we reported that during Iran’s attack, a UAE AWS data center was hit and caught fire.

( Iran airstrikes UAE, AWS data center on fire! $100 billion AI computing power becomes strategic resource )

Trump: If the Strait of Hormuz is not opened within 48 hours, Iran’s largest power plant will be destroyed

Trump warned on social media that if Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within “48 hours,” the U.S. will strike multiple power facilities inside Iran, emphasizing that they will “destroy from the largest one first.” This move is not only diplomatic pressure but also seen as a concrete military threat, showing that Washington is trying to use high pressure to force Iran to restore international shipping order.

Iran responds: Will attack energy, IT, and desalination facilities

Iran quickly responded, with the Khatam Al-Anbiya (Khatam Al-Anbiya) military command issuing a statement warning that if its energy infrastructure is attacked, it will retaliate against key facilities of the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies. Targets include not only energy facilities but also information technology systems and desalination plants.

If Iran’s energy infrastructure is attacked, it will retaliate against U.S. and Middle Eastern allies’ energy, IT, and desalination facilities. This indicates that the scope of conflict has expanded from traditional military targets to core civilian and economic infrastructure.

Particularly notable is that desalination plants are listed as priority targets. For Gulf countries, desalination facilities are almost the only stable source of freshwater, supporting urban water supply, agriculture, and industry. If destroyed, it would not only be an energy issue but also directly threaten the basic survival of millions, further amplifying regional humanitarian and political crises.

The information technology systems most likely refer to data centers in the Middle East. Previously, a UAE AWS data center was hit and caught fire after Iran’s attack. In 2025, the data center capacity in the Middle East is about 1.82GW, projected to reach 2.84GW by 2030. Including planned and under-construction capacity, the total target capacity in the Middle East over the next five years is approximately 6.1GW.

The Straits of Hormuz, a vital energy artery, becomes a flashpoint

The recent escalation was triggered by joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian energy facilities. In response, Iran threatened to attack oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, bringing this critical global oil transit route close to a standstill. Some shipping companies have already suspended passage, insurance rates have soared, and a semi-blockade has effectively formed.

Since the conflict began, passage through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by about 95%. This waterway, connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, carries about one-third of global oil shipments, 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and 60% of methanol. Shipping data shows that during the blockade, a few ships have still managed to pass, mainly flagged by Pakistan, India, or China. However, with increasing attack risks, recent passage numbers have further declined, with about three ships passing daily, and over 3,000 ships still waiting to transit as of press time.

( Iran turns the Strait of Hormuz into a toll channel! One-way fee up to $2 million, over 3,000 ships waiting to pass )

From a market perspective, this standoff has quickly reflected in energy prices. Crude oil prices have fluctuated sharply in a short period, with traders generally re-incorporating the “Hormuz risk premium” into pricing models. Some hedge funds and energy traders are beginning to position for extreme scenarios, including long-term closure of the strait or regional conflict escalation involving multiple countries.

This article, “Countering Trump’s 48-Hour Ultimatum! If Power Plants Are Bombed, Iran May Destroy Middle Eastern Data Centers and Desalination Plants,” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.