Agencies
Washington
Repeating threats to Iran, US President Donald Trump said Iran could be “taken out in one night,” which “might” be Tuesday — the day the deadline given to the Islamic Republic ends to open the Hormuz waterways. He has called his Tuesday 8 pm deadline for Iran to make a deal final.
Iran on Monday rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal and said it wants a permanent end to the war.
During his news conference Monday night (IST), Trump spoke about several issues, including the rescue of the missing US airman and the collection of tolls at the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran could be decimated if it does not agree to a deal.
Trump dismissed the possibility that Iran could collect tolls to allow ships safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, he said the United States could charge for passage through the strait, without explaining how that could be accomplished. The US stepped up threats against Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a barrage of attacks on civilian targets. “Today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. “Tomorrow, even more than today.”
Asked why Iranians would want him to carry out the threat, he said citizens are “willing to suffer… in order to have freedom.”
Trump earlier called a proposal drafted by countries working to implement a 45-day ceasefire a “significant step” but “not good enough.” Iran also rejected the proposal and called for a permanent end to the war, according to Iranian state-run media. Tehran warned the consequences of such attacks will stretch beyond the region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Monday marked Easter at the White House with a mix of religious messaging and political remarks, highlighting the country’s strength and recent military actions.
Speaking at the annual Easter Egg Roll event, Trump called it “a very special day” and said, He used the occasion to project confidence about the state of the country. “Our country is doing so well, like it has never done before… we’ve broken every record on the stock market. We’ve broken every record in our military,” Trump said.
