In social media posts, ElBaradei warned that the U.S. president's stance could turn the region into a "fireball." "Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a fireball...", he wrote on platform X. ElBaradei's move highlights fears that the situation could escalate into a catastrophic regional war if diplomacy fails. To the Gulf governments: Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of flame … https://t.co/r5esCaDODZ "Time is running out. Just 48 hours before hell descends upon them," wrote Donald Trump on Truth Social. His threats include targeting Iranian power plants, oil facilities, and desalination plants, which could potentially cripple its economy and infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz, a passage for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, was closed by Iran at the end of February, causing a spike in energy prices and supply disruptions. Experts warn that any military attempt to force it open could be risky, given the narrow shipping lanes and Iran's missile and drone capabilities. A prolonged closure could cause serious economic repercussions worldwide, with potential fuel shortages and sharp price increases.