President Donald Trump has set deadlines, made demands, and issued threats over the course of the five-week joint US-Israeli war against Iran. But seldom have they been this explicit.
The new round of strikes against Iran will begin at 20:00, Washington DC time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Within four hours, every bridge and power plant in the nation will be 'decimated'.
'Very little is off-limits,' Trump said on Monday.
To avoid this fate, Iran has to make a deal 'that’s acceptable to me'. A crucial component of the agreement should include 'free traffic of oil' through the Strait of Hormuz.
As the final hours tick down, there has been little indication that Iran is ready to agree to Trump’s ultimatum. They have rejected a temporary ceasefire and issued their own list of demands, which a US official described as 'maximalist'.
This puts Trump in a delicate position. If there is no agreement, he could extend his deadline – for the fourth time in the past three weeks. But backing away after such detailed threats could undercut his credibility as the war grinds on.
It's possible Iran and the rest of the world could conclude that despite America's military might, the U.S. is not negotiating from a clear position of strength.
'We won,' Trump insisted during a press conference. 'They are militarily defeated. The only thing they have is the psychology of: 'Oh, we’re going to drop a couple of mines in the water.'
Trump’s insistence on military prowess contrasts with the reality that even a single terrorist act can close the Strait of Hormuz.
The president's decisions remain consequential as escalating military actions loom. Despite the threat of destruction, Trump acknowledges the necessity to consider the eventual rebuilding efforts in Iran if negotiations fail.
'Do I want to destroy their infrastructure? No,' he stated, while continuing to express hope for breakthroughs in negotiations.
'They have till tomorrow,' Trump concluded. 'We’ll see what happens. I believe they’re negotiating in good faith. I guess we’ll find out.'
