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The Iranian military has indicated that Iraq will maintain access through a critical maritime corridor, according to Al Jazeera, citing reports from Iranian media.
The Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command, which coordinates the country's armed forces, stated that Iraq would be exempt from any restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. In tandem with this military directive, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has clarified the protocols for maritime passage within the Islamic Republic's territorial limits, according to a formal communique released by the Foreign Ministry. The top diplomat noted that non-hostile ships can transit through Iranian waters, asserting that such movements are permissible on the condition that prior coordination is carried out with Iran. These clarifications from Tehran come as US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a stark ultimatum to the regime, saying Iran has 48 hours to strike a deal or reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz "before all hell will rain down on them". Trump's message, posted on his Truth Social platform, serves as a final reminder of his 10-day ultimatum given to the Islamic Republic earlier to make progress towards a deal or reopen the vital shipping lane. "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out--48 hours before all hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP," his post read. The current countdown follows an earlier reprieve, where Trump, on March 26, stated that he was extending the pause on strikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure for an additional 10 days, until Monday, April 6, 2026, as part of the ongoing diplomatic talks between the two sides. In a post on Truth Social, the US President claimed that the announcement came as per a "request" from the Iranian Government and further stated that the negotiations with Tehran were "going very well". "As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others, they are going very well," the post read. This latest warning is a continuation of Trump's persistent pressure on Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. He had earlier instructed the US Department of War to delay any military action against Iranian power plants and energy sites for five days, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements with Tehran amid escalating tensions in West Asia. This followed an initial 48-hour warning to Tehran to open the strategically significant Strait or face potential strikes on its energy facilities. His latest 48-hour ultimatum now serves as the final deadline following the 10-day window granted to Tehran last month. (ANI)
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