STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in a social media post on Tuesday that "a whole civilization will die tonight" unless Iran reached a last-minute deal to open the Strait of Hormuz by end-of-day.
:: April 6, 2026
"The entire country could be taken out in one night."
Trump made a similar threat during a White House press briefing on Monday.
He's given Iran until 8 p.m. eastern standard time or 3:30 a.m. in Tehran, to end its blockade of Gulf oil, or he will destroy every Iranian bridge and power plant.
"Burning, exploding and never to be used again. I mean, complete demolition."
But Iran showed no sign of accepting Trump's ultimatum despite the repeated threats.
Meanwhile, strikes on Iran intensified throughout the day.
:: Iranian Red Crescent Society
Rescuers in Tehran were seen searching through rubble, and large fires and plumes of smoke rose from Mehrabad International Airport.
The semi-official Mehr news agency reported that multiple targets including the airport were struck in Tehran early on Tuesday.
Iran responded to Trump's deadline by declaring it would no longer hold back from hitting U.S. allies in the Gulf.
Video verified by Reuters showed a fire blazing near Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, where Western oil firms operate multi-billion-dollar ventures.
:: File
Iran said it attacked the complex in response to strikes against its Asaluyeh petrochemical plants.
And Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that Tehran would "deprive America and its allies in the region of oil and gas for years."
"... putting all of us in danger."
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson urged all sides to find a resolution before the situation "spirals out of control."
A senior Iranian source said Tehran was maintaining its refusal to reopen the strait without U.S. concessions that so far were not forthcoming.
The source added that Pakistan, which has been the main go-between, was still relaying messages, but Washington had not changed its tone.
Another senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran had rejected a proposal conveyed by intermediaries for a temporary ceasefire.
:: Iranian Red Crescent Society
That source also said talks on lasting peace could begin only after the U.S. and Israel stop bombing, guarantee not to start again and offer compensation for damage.
