US President Donald Trump has set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply could lead to devastating strikes on the country’s infrastructure. Trump stated that every bridge in Iran would be “decimated” and every power plant would be “out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again” by midnight EDT (0400 GMT) on Wednesday
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy supplies, and Iran’s blockade has driven up oil and gas prices. Trump has threatened to take drastic action if Iran doesn’t comply, saying the entire country could be “taken out” in one night
Iran has rejected a proposed ceasefire and insists on a permanent end to the conflict. The country’s military has dismissed Trump’s threats as “arrogant rhetoric” and “baseless threats”
The US has been engaging in intense military operations against Iran, with over 13,000 targets hit since the conflict began. Trump has warned that the US will “hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks” and “bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong”
The international community is calling for restraint, with the UN warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure are banned under international law. France’s foreign minister has also condemned Trump’s threats, saying they violate the rules of war
Iran’s president has urged citizens to form human chains around power plants to protect them from potential attacks. The situation remains tense, with both sides refusing to back down
