United States President, Donald Trump, has warned that Iran could face devastating military action if it fails to meet a Tuesday night deadline set by Washington.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said Iran risked being completely destroyed in a single night if it refused to agree to a ceasefire deal. He stressed that Tehran must comply with US demands or face intensified attacks targeting key infrastructure.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump told a White House press conference.
The president had earlier insisted that Iran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, as part of the proposed agreement.
“I hope I don’t have to do it,” Trump said.
Trump also dismissed criticism that targeting civilian infrastructure, including power plants, could amount to war crimes.
“I’m not worried about it. You know what’s a war crime? Having a nuclear weapon,” Trump said earlier on Monday during an Easter egg event for children on the White House South Lawn.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military would escalate its operations, revealing that Monday would see the heaviest wave of strikes so far.
He added that Tuesday’s offensive would surpass previous operations, signalling a further intensification of US military action against Iran.
