Trump threatens to take out Iran in ‘one night’ if no deal before deadline

Trump Threatens to Strike Iran ‘in One Night’ if No Deal by Deadline

US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that Iran could face a full-scale attack within a single night if it fails to reach an agreement by the deadline he imposed for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway, vital for global energy trade, is central to the negotiations. Trump set the 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday as the final hour for an “acceptable” deal, which would ensure unobstructed oil flow through the Gulf. The timeline corresponds to 00:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Speaking at the White House, Trump asserted that he believed Iranian negotiators were acting in “good faith,” though the outcome of talks remains uncertain. The president’s remarks came during a joint press event with General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The event followed the successful retrieval of two F-15 crew members from southern Iran, a mission that Trump emphasized as “heroic.”

“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump stated on Monday. He added that Iran would be “sent back to the Stone Ages” once the deadline passed, describing a scenario where the nation would lose its bridges and power plants.

Iran, however, has dismissed US proposals for a temporary pause in hostilities. Instead, it has demanded a permanent resolution to the conflict and the removal of sanctions. Despite this, Trump expressed optimism that Iran was still negotiating in good faith, citing the deaths of multiple Iranian leaders in recent US and Israeli strikes as a factor that might influence their stance.

A regional official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, noted that progress in negotiations is stalled without a ceasefire. The official explained that communication with Iranian officials has been hindered by an ongoing blackout, resulting in delayed responses. “Conveying messages to Iran and receiving timely replies is nearly impossible,” they said, estimating an average response time of one to two days.

Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have played roles in facilitating discussions. Trump offered few specifics about the administration’s next steps, claiming to have “the best plan” but withholding details from the media. Legal analysts have raised concerns that targeting Iranian infrastructure could qualify as a war crime. “Destroying power plants and using coercive tactics against civilians to pressure a government are all illegal actions,” said Tess Bridgeman, a former National Security Council legal advisor from the Obama era.

Earlier in the day, Trump dismissed worries about potential attacks, stating he was “not worried” about the consequences. He argued that Iran’s population would “willingly suffer for freedom,” even if the goal wasn’t to topple the government. The president also criticized key allies, including the UK, NATO, and South Korea, for not supporting the US during the conflict. “That’s a mark on NATO that will never disappear,” he remarked, suggesting the US could function without the UK.

According to the US military’s Central Command, over 13,000 strikes have been carried out in Iran since the conflict began. These attacks, part of a broader campaign, underscore the intensity of the ongoing confrontation. The latest developments highlight the high stakes as the deadline approaches, with the potential for dramatic escalation looming.