US sets Tuesday deadline over Hormuz blockade Threatens to hit Iran infrastructure Says Tuesday will be power plant day, and bridge day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran Iran warns of devastating retaliation Conflicting claims over pilot rescue Tehran says several ‘enemy aircraft’ destroyed during US pilot rescue mission.
Washington/Tehran - The Middle East edged closer to a potentially catastrophic escalation on Sunday as Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, warning that the United States would launch sweeping strikes on Iranian infrastructure if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening.
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The warning, delivered through a combination of formal interviews and blunt social media posts, represents one of the most direct and aggressive threats yet in a conflict that has already stretched into its sixth week, with mounting casualties, economic disruption, and rising fears of a broader regional war.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Trump said he believed a deal could still be reached within hours but made it clear that time was running out. “If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” he said, underlining both the urgency and severity of the US position.
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In a separate social media post, he added a cryptic message — “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” — which analysts widely interpreted as a possible reference to the timing of military action if negotiations fail. In another statement, marked by unusually harsh language, Trump declared that Tuesday would be “Power Plant Day and Bridge Day” in Iran, signalling potential coordinated strikes on key elements of the country’s infrastructure.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, the US president simultaneously maintained that negotiations were ongoing, suggesting that diplomatic channels remain open even as military options are actively being prepared. This dual-track approach — combining pressure with the possibility of dialogue — has added to the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict. Officials in Washington have not provided further clarification, and representatives for the White House were not immediately available to elaborate on the president’s remarks.
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At the heart of the crisis lies the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Iran’s effective restriction of traffic through this narrow waterway has sent shockwaves through global markets, driving up oil prices and threatening energy security across multiple continents. The disruption followed the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, when the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a series of strikes on Iranian targets, prompting swift retaliation from Tehran.
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Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and allied infrastructure across the Gulf region, significantly widening the scope of the conflict. In recent days, Tehran has claimed responsibility for strikes on energy installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, resulting in fires and substantial material damage, though no casualties were reported in those incidents. Iranian officials have warned that such attacks will intensify if the United States and its allies continue to target Iranian territory, raising fears that the conflict could spiral into a multi-front confrontation involving several regional actors.
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The situation has been further complicated by conflicting accounts surrounding a high-profile US military rescue operation inside Iran. According to Washington, a US airman whose F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iranian territory was successfully recovered in what Trump described as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history.” The president said the injured officer had been stranded in mountainous terrain and was pursued by enemy forces before being safely retrieved by US special forces in a complex mission involving dozens of aircraft.
However, Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected the US account, claiming instead that the rescue attempt had failed and resulted in significant American losses. Iranian officials asserted that two C-130 military transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed during the operation, describing it as a humiliating setback for the United States. These claims have not been independently verified, and US officials have not confirmed any such losses, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over what exactly transpired on the ground.
In a move laden with historical symbolism, Iranian authorities drew parallels between the reported incident and the failed Operation Eagle Claw, a 1980 rescue mission ordered by Jimmy Carter that ended in disaster due to mechanical failures and a sandstorm in Iran’s Tabas desert. Iranian statements referenced the “sands of Tabas” as a symbol of divine intervention, framing the current confrontation within a broader narrative of resistance against foreign intervention.
Iran launched drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, targeting oil, petrochemical, and government facilities, causing fires and heavy material damage. Iranian drones hit power and water desalination plants in Kuwait, forcing shutdowns of key energy units. Tehran also targeted Israeli territory with missile strikes, including attacks on cities like Haifa, as part of continued retaliation. Iranian forces claimed to have shot down US aircraft, including warplanes and drones, and resisted US operations inside the country.
Israel carried out airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, including a petrochemical facility in Mahshahr, causing casualties. Israeli forces also launched strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Lebanon, expanding the conflict regionally. Israeli intelligence also reportedly assisted the US rescue operation, showing close military coordination.
As military tensions intensify, Israel has also stepped up its involvement, with Benjamin Netanyahu praising the US rescue operation and reaffirming support for Washington’s actions. Israeli officials have indicated that further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure are being prepared, pending US approval, signalling deeper coordination between the two allies. This growing alignment has heightened concerns that the conflict could expand beyond its current scope, drawing in additional regional players and further destabilising an already volatile region.
Efforts to de-escalate the situation through diplomacy have so far yielded limited results. Pakistan has attempted to mediate between Washington and Tehran, while China has called for restraint and dialogue, emphasising the need for a political solution to the crisis. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has signalled openness to negotiations but insisted that any agreement must ensure a “conclusive and lasting end” to what he described as an illegal war imposed on his country.
Meanwhile, the broader economic implications of the conflict continue to unfold. With oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz reduced to a trickle, global markets have experienced significant volatility, raising concerns about inflation, supply shortages, and long-term economic disruption. Energy-importing nations have been particularly affected, while oil-producing countries have struggled to compensate for the shortfall due to infrastructure damage and logistical constraints.
The humanitarian cost of the conflict is also mounting, with thousands reported killed and many more displaced across affected areas. Critical infrastructure, including power plants, transportation networks, and industrial facilities, has suffered extensive damage, further complicating relief efforts and recovery prospects. International organisations have warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis if hostilities continue unchecked.
As the Tuesday deadline set by Trump approaches, the world watches with growing anxiety. The coming hours are likely to prove, with the possibility of either a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough or a significant escalation that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Analysts warn that miscalculation or miscommunication at this stage could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the region but for global stability as a whole.
For now, both sides appear locked in a high-stakes standoff, balancing threats and negotiations in equal measure. Whether diplomacy can prevail over confrontation remains uncertain, but the margin for error is rapidly shrinking as the clock ticks toward what could be a defining moment in the conflict.