Donald Trump has delivered a new warning to Iran, claiming the nation could be “taken out in one night” as a US deadline for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened approaches.
Over the past few days, the president has repeatedly escalated his rhetoric toward Tehran, while the continued shutdown of the Hormuz route has contributed to rising global energy costs.
Among the statements shared publicly was an expletive-filled post made on Easter Sunday, in which Trump wrote: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
Not long after, he posted again on Truth Social, warning he would unleash “hell” if the US and Iran had not reached an agreement by 8pm Eastern Time on Tuesday.
With that deadline drawing closer, Trump told reporters during a late Monday press conference that Iran could be “taken out in one night” if it refused to agree to a deal.
He then suggested it “might be tomorrow night,” continuing the threat of imminent action.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also indicated military action would ramp up if Iran did not accept an agreement.
“Today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one,” he said. “Tomorrow, even more than today.”
On Sunday, Trump repeated the warning to reporters, saying he would “blow up the whole country” if the strait was not reopened by Tuesday evening.
“If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” the president told the Wall Street Journal.
Another threat was issued on Saturday (April 4), when Trump discussed the timeframe again on Truth Social, writing: “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 reign down on them.”
On Monday, Iran turned down a 45-day peace proposal put forward by the US and is reportedly seeking terms that would permanently end the war.
Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, who leads Iran’s diplomatic mission in Cairo, told the Associated Press: “We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again.”
He added that Iran does not trust the Trump administration following recent strikes that took place while talks aimed at ending the conflict were underway.
Current estimates suggest more than 5,200 people have been affected across the Middle East since the war began in February, including more than 3,500 deaths in Iran, according to the latest figures.