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 warned that Iran could face a full-scale assault “in one night” if a negotiated agreement isn’t finalized by the deadline set for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The critical energy corridor in the Gulf remains a focal point of the US’s demands, with Trump specifying that the deal must include unimpeded passage for oil shipments. His deadline, marked for 20:00 EDT (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, came during a White House press event where he acknowledged Iranian leaders were negotiating “in good faith” but emphasized the uncertainty of the outcome.
Iran, however, has so far rejected US proposals for a ceasefire, insisting instead on an immediate cessation of hostilities, post-war rebuilding, and the removal of sanctions. The president’s remarks were delivered alongside General Dan Caine, the Joint Chiefs chairman, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, following a recent US military operation that retrieved two F-15 pilots from southern Iran. While Trump praised the heroic recovery of the crew, he reiterated his warning that attacks on Iran’s energy and transport networks could occur if the deadline isn’t met.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” he declared.
Trump also warned that Iran would be “sent back to the Stone Ages” after the deadline, citing the loss of infrastructure such as bridges and power plants. Despite Iran’s earlier refusals, he expressed optimism that the nation was still open to dialogue, especially after key leaders were eliminated through strikes by US and Israeli forces. A regional official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that progress in talks is stalled due to communication challenges. “Messages to Iran often take a day or more to receive a response,” the official stated, highlighting the ongoing blackout in diplomatic channels.
Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have been actively mediating between the parties, though Trump provided few specifics on the US’s next steps. He claimed to have “the best plan” but withheld details from the media. Legal analysts have raised concerns about the potential for sustained attacks on Iranian infrastructure to qualify as war crimes. “Destroying all power plants and pressuring civilians to force a government into negotiations are flatly illegal,” said a former Obama-era National Security Council advisor.
Trump, undeterred by these legal risks, claimed he was “not worried” about the consequences. He argued that the Iranian people would accept suffering for “freedom,” even if toppling the government wasn’t his goal. The president also criticized NATO allies and South Korea for failing to support the US during the conflict. “That mark on NATO will never fade,” he said, suggesting the alliance’s reliability was in question. Central Command reported over 13,000 strikes across Iran since the war began, underscoring the intensity of the military campaign.
