Trump threatens to take out Iran in ‘one night’ if no deal before deadline
Trump threatens to take out Iran in ‘one night’ if no deal before deadline
President Donald Trump has issued a warning that Iran could face a major strike “within a single night” if it does not reach an agreement by the deadline he set for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This crucial waterway is vital for global energy transportation, and Trump emphasized that the deal must ensure unhindered movement of oil and gas through the Gulf.
The U.S. leader announced the deadline for an “acceptable” agreement as 20:00 Eastern Time on Tuesday, which corresponds to 00:00 GMT on Wednesday. During a White House address, Trump stated his confidence that Iranian officials were negotiating in “good faith,” though he acknowledged the outcome still hinged on uncertain factors.
Iran’s Rejection and Communication Hurdles
Iran has declined to accept temporary ceasefire offers, pushing instead for a lasting resolution to the conflict and the removal of sanctions. A regional official, who wished to stay unnamed due to the sensitivity of the talks, noted that progress in negotiations is unlikely without a ceasefire. The official added that communication with Iranian leaders has been delayed, with responses often taking a day or more.
“To convey messages to Iran, getting a response in a reasonable time is not possible. The average time of response has been a day or so,” the official said.
The administration’s plans were further underscored by Trump’s joint news conference with General Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This event followed the successful recovery of two F-15 crew members from southern Iran, which Trump described as a “heroic” operation. However, he reiterated his threat of attacks on Iran’s energy and transportation systems if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump stated on Monday.
Trump also criticized key allies, including the UK, NATO, and South Korea, accusing them of failing to support the U.S. during the conflict. He suggested that NATO’s reputation would suffer permanently, stating, “That’s a mark on NATO that will never disappear.” The president also hinted at his reduced reliance on the UK, claiming the U.S. “does not need” the alliance.
Meanwhile, legal analysts have raised concerns about the potential for attacks on Iran’s infrastructure to qualify as war crimes. A former National Security Council advisor from the Obama administration warned that destroying power plants and targeting civilians could be legally unjustified. Despite this, Trump expressed confidence that Iran’s people would accept hardship for “freedom,” even if the government’s fall was not his goal.
According to the U.S. Central Command, over 13,000 strikes have been launched across Iran since the conflict began. The military update provided on Monday highlighted the scale of operations, yet Trump offered few additional details about future steps, claiming he has “the best plan” but would not reveal it to the press.
