President Donald Trump has issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, warning of severe consequences if no agreement is reached, as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East and efforts intensify to locate a missing US airman.
In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Mr Trump said time was “running out” for Tehran to reach a deal, referencing an earlier demand tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global energy supplies. He warned that failure to comply would result in a major escalation.
Iranian officials rejected the warning, with senior military figures dismissing it as inflammatory rhetoric and issuing counter-threats, signalling little immediate prospect of de-escalation.
The exchange comes amid ongoing military activity across the region. Iranian forces have continued to target economic and strategic assets, including shipping routes in the Gulf. Officials in Tehran said a commercial vessel in Bahrain had been struck, while the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted, disrupting global oil and gas flows.
At the same time, strikes linked to US or Israeli operations have targeted sites داخل Iran, including a petrochemical facility in the southwest where local authorities reported fatalities. The broader conflict, now more than a month old, has expanded across multiple fronts, with significant implications for global markets and regional stability.
A key focus remains the search for a missing American aircrew member after Iran reported shooting down a US F-15 fighter jet. US media indicated that one of the two crew members had been rescued by American forces, while the second remains unaccounted for.
Local officials in southwestern Iran said the search operation involves both military personnel and civilians, with reports of armed residents attempting to prevent foreign rescue efforts. Verified footage showed exchanges of fire between Iranian forces and a US helicopter during the ongoing operation.
Iran also claimed to have downed a US A-10 aircraft over the Gulf, though reports suggested the pilot was recovered.
Meanwhile, concern has grown following a strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Iran’s southern coast. The attack resulted in at least one fatality and prompted Russia, which has played a role in the facility’s construction and operation, to evacuate personnel and condemn the incident.
Iran’s foreign minister warned that continued attacks on the site could risk radioactive contamination affecting neighbouring Gulf states, given the plant’s proximity to several regional capitals. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there had been no detected rise in radiation levels but expressed concern over repeated strikes near nuclear infrastructure.
Further air strikes were reported in Tehran, where smoke was seen rising across parts of the city, indicating ongoing military activity.
As diplomatic channels remain strained and military operations continue on multiple fronts, the combination of political ultimatums and active combat operations highlights the increasingly volatile nature of the conflict, with both regional and global consequences still unfolding.
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