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

Trump Threatens to Eliminate Iran in ‘Single Night’ if No Deal by Deadline

US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that Iran could face a devastating strike within a single night if a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not reached by Tuesday’s deadline. The critical global energy corridor, which remains a focal point of international trade, is central to the negotiations. Trump’s specified timeframe for an “acceptable” agreement is 20:00EDT (01:00GMT) on Tuesday, during which he expects Iran to allow unimpeded oil transportation through the Gulf.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump emphasized that Iranian leaders were engaging in “good faith” talks, though he admitted the outcome was still unclear. Despite this, Iran has continued to reject ceasefire proposals, advocating instead for an immediate halt to hostilities, post-war reconstruction, and the removal of sanctions. The president reiterated his threat during a news conference alongside General Dan Caine and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, following the recent recovery of two F-15 crew members from southern Iran.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Following the deadline, Trump predicted that Iran would be thrust back to the “Stone Ages,” envisioning a scenario where its infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, would be destroyed. This stance came after successive Iranian leaders were eliminated in US and Israeli strikes, which Trump claimed bolstered his confidence in the negotiation process.

A regional official, who remained anonymous due to the sensitivity of the talks, noted that progress in the negotiations is unlikely without a ceasefire. The official highlighted that communication with Iranian officials has been hindered by an ongoing blackout, with responses often delayed by a day or more. Mediation efforts have involved countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, yet details of the US administration’s strategy were withheld, as Trump claimed to have “the best plan” but refused to share it with the media.

Legal experts raised concerns that targeted attacks on Iran’s infrastructure could qualify as war crimes. A former Obama-era National Security Council legal advisor told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that “deliberate, sustained assaults on Iranian facilities could be flatly illegal.” Trump, however, dismissed these worries, stating he was “not worried” about such implications and insisted that the Iranian population would “willingly suffer” to achieve freedom, even if the goal was not to topple the government.

The president also criticized key allies, including the UK, NATO, and South Korea, for failing to support US efforts during the conflict. “That’s a mark on NATO that will never disappear,” he said, suggesting the US no longer “needs” the UK. According to the US military’s Central Command, over 13,000 strikes have been carried out across Iran since the war began, underscoring the scale of the ongoing operations.