Iran warns it will totally block the Strait of Hormuz if America strikes its energy facilities

Iran's military issued a stern warning on Sunday, vowing to completely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump follows through on his threats to target the country's power plants.

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This ultimatum comes after Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the strait, which has been effectively closed since the outbreak of war on February 28, sparked by US-Israeli bombardment of Iran.

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The conflict has since escalated, spreading across the Middle East, with Iran retaliating against Israel and US interests in the region using drone and missile attacks.

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In a statement broadcast by state TV, the military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya warned that if the US carries out its threats against Iran's power plants, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely shut down until the damaged power plants are rebuilt.

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The military also threatened to strike Israel's power plants, energy, and information and communications technology infrastructure, as well as power plants in regional countries hosting US bases and companies with US shareholders.

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These measures, according to the military, are aimed at defending the country and its national interests.

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Since the start of the war, traffic through the vital strait, which normally handles 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas, has come to a near standstill.

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Only a limited number of vessels, around five per cent of the pre-war volume, have been able to navigate the strait, according to analytics firm Kpler.

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Iranian forces have attacked multiple vessels that failed to heed warnings against transiting the waterway, while allowing some vessels from friendly countries to pass in recent days.

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Iran has also warned that it will block ships from countries it claims have joined the "aggression" against it, and its parliament is considering imposing tolls on shipping through the strait.

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Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that maritime traffic will "not return to its pre-war status".