Trump promises ‘total decimation of Iran and says ‘it’s gonna work out very good’ as he gives deadline of tonight for reopening Strait and oil prices surge towards record highs
Donald Trump promised last night that Iran would be ‘completely destroyed’ as reports emerged of US plans for a long land war in the Middle East.
Iran yesterday strongly rejected an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy the entire region’s energy infrastructure.
Trump warned Tehran on Saturday that it had 48 hours to allow cargo to pass through the vital global shipping lane ‘without threat’ or he would ‘destroy’ its power plants.
But the regime hit back yesterday, saying that if its facilities were targeted, the energy infrastructure ‘in the entire region’ would be ‘irreversibly destroyed’.
He also warned that the Strait of Hormuz, which some countries friendly to Iran still allow safe passage to, would be “completely closed” and that Israel would strike its nuclear facilities.
The threats came after Iranian missiles hit two towns near a nuclear power plant in Dimona in southern Israel, injuring more than 160 people. This was thought to be retaliation for Israel’s reported attack on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the war has now entered a ‘dangerous phase’.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: ‘I urgently call on all parties to exercise maximum military restraint and avoid any actions that could trigger nuclear incidents.’
As the conflict enters its fourth week, Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil passes, increases pressure on Trump.
Donald Trump warned Tehran on Saturday that it had 48 hours to allow cargo to pass through the vital global shipping lane ‘without threat’ or he would ‘destroy’ its power plants
Iran yesterday strongly rejected an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (pictured) and threatened to destroy the entire region’s energy infrastructure
Oil prices have soared 50 per cent to over $100 (£75) on fears they could double and cause a global recession.
Shortly before midnight UK time on Saturday, Mr Trump wrote: ‘IF Iran DOES NOT FULLY OPEN THE Strait of Hormuz WITHOUT THREAT WITHIN EXACTLY 48 HOURS from this point, the United States will strike and destroy various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE LARGEST FIRST!’
He doubled down on his threats yesterday, saying Iran would face ‘total destruction’ if the Islamic Republic failed to fully open the strait.
Speaking to Israeli channel N13, Trump said: ‘You will find out what will happen. Will they submit to the ultimatum? You will find out soon. It will be very good. Complete destruction of Iran. ‘It will work very well.’
He added: ‘They [Iran] It was very bad for 47 years. Now they’re getting their compensation.’
But despite its top leaders being all but wiped out by US-Israeli devastating precision strikes, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said yesterday that Tehran would ‘resolutely counter the insane threats on the battlefield’.
He added: ‘The illusion of erasing Iran from the map is a sign of desperation against the will of a history-making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. ‘The Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone except those who encroach on our territory.’
A spokesman for Iran’s armed forces also said that if the US ‘fulfills its threats’, the Bosphorus ‘will not be reopened until our damaged power plants are rebuilt’.
Thousands of US Marines are heading to the region as Washington decides how to force open the Strait.
Iran is reportedly considering potentially occupying Kharg Island to seize the strategically vital region from which it exports 90 percent of its crude oil and force Tehran to surrender.
However, the Iranian regime warned that if they did so, they would ‘face an unprecedented backlash’ as they would ‘set fire to all facilities in the region’ and possibly collapse the global economy.
The US is reportedly considering potentially occupying Kharg Island (pictured) to seize the strategically vital region
Israel and Iran continued to trade blows as the war spiraled and showed no signs of ending. (Image: Rocket trails in the sky over Netanya, Israel, amid Iranian missiles)
As the war continues to spiral, Israel has vowed to continue striking Iran for at least three more weeks.
IDF chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said: ‘We are halfway there, but the direction is clear.’
Yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu visited the sites of Iran’s attack on Arad, near Dimona in southern Israel, and promised: ‘We are going after the Revolutionary Guard’ [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps]This criminal gang.
‘We are going after them, their leaders, their facilities, their economic assets.’
Of the 160 people injured by the two ballistic missiles that hit Arad and Dimona, 70 were children.
The Israeli military said Iran had fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at the country since the start of the war, and about 92 percent of them were intercepted.
While Iran continued its attacks on its Gulf neighbors last night, the Saudi Arabian defense ministry said three ballistic missiles were detected around the capital yesterday.
The Revolutionary Guard also warned residents to evacuate Doha, Qatar, ‘as quickly as possible’; He stated that this region is now a ‘legitimate target’ due to the US forces stationed there.
At least three drones crashed into the American diplomatic and logistics center near Baghdad Airport in Iraq.
