A stern warning from Washington has raised tensions with Tehran, as the United States sets a tight deadline tied to the reopening of a major global shipping corridor, with the threat of military action hanging in the balance if talks fail.
US President Donald Trump has cautioned that Iran could face severe consequences if it does not agree to terms before a deadline linked to ensuring the free movement of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. The deadline, set for 20:00 EDT on Tuesday, is aimed at securing what Trump described as an acceptable arrangement covering regional energy flows.
At the White House on Monday, Trump said discussions were ongoing and described some Iranian participants as engaging in “good faith,” though he noted that uncertainty still surrounded the outcome of the negotiations. He also pointed out that Iran had not accepted proposals calling for a ceasefire, instead pushing for an immediate halt to hostilities, reconstruction efforts, and the lifting of sanctions.
Addressing reporters alongside General Dan Caine and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump highlighted the recovery of two crew members from a downed F-15 fighter jet in southern Iran, describing the operation as successful. However, he quickly returned to the central issue, repeating his warning that the US could strike Iran’s infrastructure if access through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored before the deadline.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night – and that night might be tomorrow night,” he said on Monday.
He further warned that once the deadline passes, Iran could face extensive damage.
“They're going to have no bridges,” he said. “They're going to have no power plants.”
Trump maintained that despite Iran’s rejection of earlier demands, there were signs of engagement following recent losses among Iranian leadership due to US and Israeli strikes.
“We're going to find out,” he said.
A regional official involved in the broader discussions said progress remains difficult without a ceasefire already in place. The official explained that communication barriers have slowed exchanges with Iranian officials, especially due to ongoing disruptions affecting channels of contact.
“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.”
Efforts to support dialogue have included involvement from Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, all of which have taken part in attempts to bridge communication gaps and encourage talks.
Trump did not offer specifics on any planned actions, stating only that he has “the best plan” but would not share details publicly.
Concerns have also been raised by legal experts, who argue that sustained attacks on civilian infrastructure may breach international law.
“Obliterating all power plants, threatening coercive actions against the civilian population to try to bring a government to the negotiating table, those kinds of things are all flatly illegal,” a former National Security Council legal advisor told CBS.
Earlier in the day, Trump dismissed such concerns, saying he was not “worried” and adding that people in Iran would be “willing to suffer to have freedom,” while clarifying that removing the government was not his stated objective.
He also criticized several US allies, including the UK, Nato and South Korea, accusing them of not offering sufficient support during the ongoing tensions.
“That's a mark on Nato that will never disappear,” he said, adding that the US does not “need” the UK.
According to figures from the US military’s Central Command, American forces have conducted more than 13,000 strikes across Iran since the conflict began.