Trump threatens to take out Iran in ‘one night’ if no deal before deadline
Trump Threatens Immediate Strike on Iran if No Agreement by Deadline
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that Iran could be struck “in one night” if a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not finalized by his set deadline. The critical energy corridor, which is vital for global oil shipments, remains a focal point of the escalating tensions. Trump’s timeline for an “acceptable” agreement—encompassing unimpeded energy flow through the Gulf—expires at 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT Wednesday).
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump expressed confidence that Iranian officials were engaging in earnest negotiations. However, he emphasized that the outcome remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Iran has dismissed US proposals for a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a permanent resolution to the conflict and the removal of sanctions.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump stated on Monday. He further warned that failure to meet the deadline would send Iran “back to the Stone Ages,” with its infrastructure left in ruins.
Trump’s remarks came amid recent developments, including the recovery of two F-15 pilot crew members from southern Iran. US forces conducted the operation days after a jet was shot down, highlighting the administration’s readiness to escalate tensions. Despite Iran’s earlier rejection of US demands, Trump reiterated his belief in the sincerity of Iranian negotiations, citing the recent deaths of several layers of leadership in US and Israeli strikes.
A regional official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that meaningful progress in talks is unlikely without a ceasefire. The official highlighted the challenges posed by a communications blackout, which has delayed message exchanges between Iranian officials and their counterparts. “Response times have averaged around a day,” they said, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have been actively involved in mediating discussions. Trump, however, provided few specifics about the administration’s next steps, asserting he has “the best plan” but will not reveal it to the media. Legal experts raised concerns that sustained attacks on Iran’s infrastructure could amount to war crimes, with one former Obama-era advisor stating, “Obliterating power plants and coercing civilians to pressure a government are all legally indefensible actions.”
Trump dismissed the risk of such accusations, claiming Iran’s population would “willingly suffer for freedom.” He also renewed his criticism of key allies, including the UK, NATO, and South Korea, for failing to support the US during the conflict. “That’s a lasting mark on NATO,” he said, suggesting the US no longer relies on the UK. According to the Central Command, over 13,000 strikes have been launched against Iran since the war began.