WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch a swift and devastating attack on Iran “in one night” if Tehran fails to reach an agreement before his stated deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
The deadline for what Trump described as an “acceptable” deal—ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy through the Gulf—is set for 8:00 pm Tuesday in Washington, DC (00:00 GMT Wednesday).
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he believed some Iranian leaders were negotiating “in good faith,” though he acknowledged that the final outcome remained uncertain, BBC reported.
Iran, however, has dismissed proposals for a temporary ceasefire, instead demanding a permanent end to hostilities along with the removal of sanctions.
Trump made the remarks during a press conference alongside General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The briefing came days after US forces recovered two crew members from a downed F-15 fighter jet in southern Iran.
Although much of the briefing focused on what Trump described as a “heroic” rescue mission, he reiterated that the US could target Iran’s energy and transport infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed past the deadline.
“The entire country could be taken out in one night—and that night could be tomorrow,” Trump said Monday, adding that Iran could be pushed back to the “Stone Ages,” with critical infrastructure such as bridges and power plants destroyed.
Despite Tehran’s earlier rejection of US demands, Trump maintained cautious optimism about ongoing talks, even after recent US and Israeli strikes reportedly killed multiple senior Iranian figures.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said.
A regional official familiar with the negotiations suggested that meaningful progress is unlikely without a ceasefire. Speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, the official noted that communication challenges—particularly a blackout affecting Iran—have slowed exchanges, with responses often taking a day or more.
Countries including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have been involved in mediation efforts.
Trump declined to provide further details about US strategy, saying only that he has “the best plan” but would not reveal it publicly.
Meanwhile, legal experts have cautioned that sustained attacks on Iran’s infrastructure could potentially amount to war crimes.
(Inputs from BBC)
Comment