"Tuesday, 8 p.m. Eastern Time," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 5/4.
This new deadline gives Tehran an additional day compared to the 48-hour warning Trump issued previously. Iran now faces the choice of opening the strait to appease the US leader or risking his threat to destroy the Middle Eastern nation's power plants and bridges.
Trump also appeared to confirm the new ultimatum in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on 5/4.
"We are in a very strong position, and that country will take 20 years to rebuild if they are lucky enough to remain a nation," he said. "If they do nothing by Tuesday evening, they will have no power plants or bridges left."
 |
US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on 1/4. Photo: AP
Iran has nearly blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for 20% of the global oil supply, since the US and Israel began coordinated attacks on 28/2.
"They are negotiating right now, and I think there is a good chance tomorrow," Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran in an interview with Fox News on 5/4. "If they do not reach a deal quickly, I am considering destroying everything and taking control of the oil there."
In the same interview, Trump stated that the US guarantees the safety of Iranian negotiators, saying they "have acknowledged Tehran will not develop nuclear weapons."
"The most important thing is that they will not have nuclear weapons. They are not even negotiating on this point because it is too easy. That has already been accepted. Most points have been accepted," he said.
Speaking to ABC News, President Trump said the conflict should end "in a few days, not weeks." However, he also warned that if no agreement is reached with Tehran, the US would rule out "very few" military options.
Trump's series of media interviews followed the US announcement of the successful rescue of the back-seat pilot of an F-15E fighter jet shot down in Iran on 3/4. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised it as "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in American history."
Thanh Tam (According to AFP, WSJ)
