United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the country could be “taken out in one night” if it fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before a set deadline.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” he said on Monday.
Trump set a deadline of 20:00 Washington time on Tuesday for Iran to agree to a deal ensuring the free flow of energy through the Gulf, placing one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes at the centre of escalating tensions.
Once the deadline passes, Trump added, Iran would be sent back to the “Stone Ages”.
“They’re going to have no bridges,” he said. “They’re going to have no power plants.”
Despite the strong warnings, Trump said he believes Iranian leaders are negotiating in “good faith”, even after successive US and Israeli strikes killed senior figures within Iran’s leadership.
“We’re going to find out,” he said.
Iran has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire, instead calling for a permanent end to the conflict and the lifting of sanctions. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt involved in mediation attempts, though progress remains uncertain.
A regional official familiar with the discussions said communication challenges are slowing negotiations. “To convey messages to Iran, getting a response in a reasonable time is not possible,” the official said. “The average time of response has been a day or so.”
Trump made the remarks during a news conference alongside General Dan Caine and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, where he also highlighted the recovery of two US crew members from a downed F-15 aircraft in southern Iran.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the implications of targeting civilian infrastructure. Tess Bridgeman, a former National Security Council legal adviser, said such actions would be “flatly illegal".
Trump dismissed those concerns and renewed criticism of US allies, including the United Kingdom, NATO and South Korea, saying they had failed to support Washington during the conflict. “That’s a mark on Nato that will never disappear,” he said.
According to US Central Command, American forces have carried out more than 13,000 strikes across Iran since the conflict began, underscoring the scale of military escalation.
The outcome of the deadline is expected to have significant implications for global energy supply, as the Strait of Hormuz remains a vital route for oil shipments and international trade.
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