U.S. President sets precise deadline while signaling potential military action, as tensions intensify following rescue mission and ongoing negotiations
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump on Sunday sharply escalated pressure on Iran, warning in an Easter Day social media post that the United States could target Iranian power plants and bridges if the strategic Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by Tuesday.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing the crucial shipping route that Tehran has effectively shut down since the United States and Israel launched attacks more than a month ago.
“Open the [expletive] Strait … or you'll be living in Hell—JUST WATCH!” he added, concluding the post with: “Praise be to Allah.”
In a follow-up message later that day, Trump specified a deadline: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!”
The White House did not respond to questions about whether the president was signaling the exact timing of a potential U.S. strike.
The remarks come after a high-risk 48-hour operation to rescue two American pilots inside Iran. Earlier Sunday, Trump said the second rescued pilot was “seriously wounded” and described him as a “highly respected Colonel.”
“The rescue was an Easter Miracle,” Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” via text before departing for his Washington golf club. “Such a rescue has never happened before in so violent an enemy territory.”
Across at least seven interviews on Sunday, Trump continued issuing warnings toward Iran while pressing for concessions. Speaking to Fox News, he said Iran is negotiating and that a deal could be reached as early as Monday. If not, he warned he would “take” the country’s oil.
In a separate interview with ABC News, Trump said the conflict should end within days, not weeks. Failing that, he warned, “we’re blowing up the whole country,” adding that “very little” remains off the table.
The president also announced plans to hold a Monday news conference from the Oval Office alongside U.S. military officials.
Last week, Trump indicated that the United States would carry out aggressive strikes on Iran over the next two to three weeks and suggested that key strategic objectives in the war were close to being achieved.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that attacks on U.S. economic interests in the region would intensify if strikes on civilian targets in Iran continue.
