Russia urges US to drop ultimatums, Trump threatens strikes if Strait not restored till Tuesday

Russia on Sunday called on the United States to abandon the “language of ultimatums” and focus on diplomacy to help ease tensions after President Donald Trump threatened to restore the Strait of Hormuz or else they would target further key energy infrastructure in Iran.

The statement from Russia came after the US president took his account on Truth Social, saying that till Tuesday, the Iranian officials have had time to ponder over the diplomacy toward the Strait.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed the need to avoid actions, including in the UN Security Council, that could undermine the remaining opportunities for political and diplomatic solutions.

Russia said it supports efforts to de-escalate the situation, emphasising that a long-term and sustainable stabilisation of the Middle East would be easier if the United States shifted from ultimatums to constructive negotiations.

Russia strongly called on the US to abandon the “language of ultimatums” and focus on diplomacy to help ease tensions with Iran. The statement came after a discussion between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Earlier, Trump warned that he could target key infrastructure in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by Tuesday.

He said potential targets could include power plants and bridges, adding in a social media post that strong action would be taken if the waterway remains closed.

Iran indicated that the warning refers to the vital shipping route, which it has effectively shut since tensions escalated following US and Israeli strikes more than a month ago.

Trump also announced he would hold a press conference at the Oval Office on Monday, after US forces rescued two American pilots whose aircraft had gone down in Iran.

Ianian officials expressed gratitude for Iraq’s stance.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that Iraq is “completely excluded from any transit restrictions imposed by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz,” noting that limitations only apply to hostile nations.

On Saturday, Iraqi citizens took to Liberation Square in Baghdad to stage a peaceful protest against the ongoing US-Israel military operations targeting Iran. Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to the strikes and voiced opposition to the long-term US military presence across Iraq and the wider Middle East.

Since February 28, airstrikes have repeatedly targeted bases of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which have publicly condemned the US and Israel for the attacks.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials expressed gratitude for Iraq’s stance. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that Iraq is “completely excluded from any transit restrictions imposed by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz,” noting that limitations only apply to hostile nations.