<p>US President Donald Trump on Saturday said Iran has 48 hours to reach a deal with Washington or face severe military action, referring to the April 6 deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.</p> <p>“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” Trump said on the Truth Social platform.</p> <h2><strong>Earlier Threats And Shifting Stance</strong></h2> <p>Trump had earlier warned on March 21 that the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants, starting with the country’s largest, if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait by April 6.</p> <p>Two days later, he said “very good and productive conversations” were underway with Iranian authorities and postponed any strikes on power plants for five days.</p> <h2><strong>‘We’re In A War’</strong></h2> <p>The latest remarks come amid escalating tensions, including reports that Iran downed at least two American fighter jets, including an F-15E over Iranian territory, with one pilot still missing.</p> <p>Responding to the developments, Trump ruled out any impact on negotiations. When asked whether the downing of jets would affect talks, he told NBC News: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in a war.”</p> <p>Iran’s military is also reported to have downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media stating that the pilot was rescued.</p> <h2><strong>War Rhetoric Intensifies</strong></h2> <p>Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf mocked the Trump administration, saying the “war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots?’”</p> <p>Earlier, Trump had issued a warning while announcing US-Israeli strikes on the B1 Bridge in Iran’s Karaj area, urging Tehran to agree to a deal.</p> <h2><strong>Threats To Infrastructure, Iran Defiant</strong></h2> <p>Trump has alternated between describing diplomatic efforts as productive and threatening further attacks, including on civilian and energy infrastructure.</p> <p>He has warned of targeting Iran’s energy facilities and water desalination plants if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.</p> <p>Iran, however, has maintained its stance, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying strikes on civilian structures “will not compel Iranians to surrender.”</p>
from Strategic Fallout: Iran Claims Major Air Defense Success, US Faces Rising Pressure in Iraq and Beyond https://ift.tt/IfYsJaX
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from Strategic Fallout: Iran Claims Major Air Defense Success, US Faces Rising Pressure in Iraq and Beyond https://ift.tt/IfYsJaX
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