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

Trump Warns of Potential Strike on Iran if Strait of Hormuz Not Reopened

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that Iran could face a “one night” military strike if an agreement is not reached by his self-imposed deadline. The deadline, set for 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT Wednesday), requires Tehran to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial global energy corridor. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump emphasized that he believed Iranian negotiators were acting in “good faith,” though he stressed the uncertainty surrounding the outcome.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump stated on Monday.

Iran’s stance remains firm, as it has declined offers for a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a permanent resolution to the conflict and the removal of sanctions. Trump’s remarks were delivered alongside General Dan Caine, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, following the recent recovery of two US F-15 pilots captured in southern Iran. The president reiterated his readiness to target Iran’s energy and transportation networks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed by Tuesday.

Despite previous rejections of US demands, Trump expressed cautious optimism that Iran was genuinely negotiating, citing the impact of US and Israeli strikes that eliminated layers of Iranian leadership. However, a regional official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, noted that progress without a ceasefire is improbable. The official highlighted ongoing challenges in communication, as Iranian officials have been slow to respond due to a communications blackout.

Mediation efforts by Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have been underway, but Trump provided limited insight into the administration’s next steps, claiming to have “the best plan” without revealing specifics to the media. Legal analysts have raised concerns that sustained attacks on Iran’s infrastructure could qualify as a war crime. A former Obama-era National Security Council advisor told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that actions like destroying power plants or targeting civilians to force negotiations are “flatly illegal.”

Trump downplayed the legal risks, asserting he was “not worried” about the possibility. He argued that Iran’s people would “be willing to suffer to have freedom,” even if the goal was not to overthrow the government. The president also renewed his criticism of key allies, including the UK, NATO, and South Korea, accusing them of failing to support the US during the conflict. He claimed the UK is no longer essential to American interests, stating, “We don’t need the UK.”

A Central Command update revealed that over 13,000 strikes have been launched against Iran since the conflict began, underscoring the scale of US military engagement in the region.