For weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has been trying to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas are shipped. Energy prices have soared, demonstrating Iran’s main leverage point in the war: its ability to inflict damage on the global economy.
It is against this backdrop that Mr. Trump issued his latest ultimatum: By 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, Iran must reopen the strait or a “whole civilization will die,” he said, adding, “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
Universities, hospitals and bridges in Iran have already been damaged by U.S. and Israeli air strikes. But Mr. Trump is threatening to go further by targeting power and water desalination plants and oil installations. If the U.S. carries out its threats, that will represent a significant escalation in the war, which began Feb. 28.
The impact of such an escalation on 90 million Iranians would be devastating. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure are banned under international law.
Here’s an overview of the damage so far and the key locations of Iran’s energy and transportation network.
Power plants
Iran has 477 power plants, most of which use gas. The country’s one nuclear power plant, Bushehr, has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. According to the World Bank, 100 per cent of Iran’s population has access to electricity.
At 2,868 megawatts, the gas-fired Damavand power station is Iran’s largest by capacity.
Francisco Seco/AP
Bushehr, shown last May, is the only nuclear power plant in Iran, with a capacity of about 1,000 MW.
Planet Labs via Reuters
Key bridges and railroad stations
Bridges, railroads and the country’s 360 railway stations comprise a vital transportation network that connects millions of Iranians and is used to transport goods across the country. Tehran and the cities of Mashhad and Qom are major urban centres with interlinked transportation networks.
Open this photo in gallery:
In addition to the damaged B1 bridge, Karaj lost power in some areas due to air strikes on a substation and transmission lines.Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Key oil and gas infrastructure
Iran has some of the largest proven deposits of oil and natural gas in the world. In 2023, it had 24 per cent of the Middle East’s oil reserves and 12 per cent of the world’s. Despite years of Western sanctions, the country is highly reliant on fossil fuels, so attacking these sites would further devastate the economy. Kharg Island, Iran’s main export hub, is a significant target.
Iran’s oil facilities were not hit until March 7, just over a week into the war. The morning after, civil defence members watch the smoke from a strike on the Shahran refinery.
AFP via Getty Images
Mr. Trump has openly mused about seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export terminal. U.S. Central Command says it struck several military targets on the island in March.
European Space Agency/AFP via Getty Images
Conflict in context: More from The Globe and Mail
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War between Iran, the United States and Israel has hit especially hard in Asia, which depends on energy from the Gulf states. James Griffiths spoke with The Decibel about what that means and why China has found itself on the sidelines of this conflict. Subscribe for more episodes.
Perspective from history
Why the Strait of Hormuz has been a commerce chokepoint for centuries
How oil built and defined the Gulf before disrupting it
From Ukraine to Afghanistan, conflicts stoke fears of wider unrest
