Iran War Days 22–23: Power plants threatened, nuclear sites hit, Iran oil sanctions eased

GULF COUNTRIES - In Brief 22 Mar 2026 by Justin Alexander
Highlights The war escalated further over the weekend. Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Hormuz is not reopened, and Iran threatened a tit-for-tat response. Natanz nuclear plant was struck again and Iran targeted Israel’s nuclear facility in Dimona for the first time. Iran fired missiles at the US-UK base at Diego Garcia, suggesting its range may be twice the stated 2,000km limit. US/Israel and Iran Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Truth Social late Saturday: “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz… the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” The largest plant is the 3GW Damavand gas plant near Tehran. (Ax, AJE)The ultimatum reversed Trump’s statement just 24 hours earlier that he was considering “winding down” the war without resolving Hormuz. (TS, Ax)Iran’s military vowed to “completely close” Hormuz until any destroyed power plants are rebuilt if Trump follows through on his threat. (CBS)Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said critical infrastructure and energy facilities across the region would be “irreversibly destroyed” if Iranian power plants are hit, and that Iran would also target IT infrastructure and desalination plants. (X). Ghalibaf later also said that financial entities that buy US Treasuries, which “finance the US military budget are legitimate targets. (X)Iran’s military also threatened tourism sites worldwide, saying “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” will not be safe for US and Israeli officials and commanders. (AP)Natanz nuclear enrichment facility was struck again on Saturday. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisat...

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