The tensions in the world became higher yesterday after Donald Trump threatened Iran with widespread destruction, giving the nation just hours left to agree to the US demands of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Trump, who addressed a press conference at the White House on Monday, the United States has capabilities of taking out the country’s infrastructure in one night — and the time might be as soon as tomorrow night. The targets included bridges and power plants in case of failure to reach a deal, Trump noted.
While saying that Iran had received an extension to give feedback on ongoing discussions, the US president claimed that the response was significant yet was not enough for him. Reopening the strait was required to be among the demands of the ceasefire agreement, which would be concluded by levying tolls from ships using it.
Despite threats from the US, Trump stressed that Iran still remained “an active, willing participant” in talks. Thus, it was unknown whether the war will get more intense or a peaceful agreement will be signed soon.
Iran did not seem to react to threats seriously, dismissing them as “delusional.” As the country’s military reported, there was no way to hide disgrace and humiliation that the Americans suffer in the region. At the same time, Iranian state media informed that the country had rejected a US-backed ceasefire, demanding that the war should be terminated finally.
The war has already caused many casualties. At least 34 people died yesterday after Israeli-US attacks on different targets all around Iran, while Iranian forces continue missile strikes against strategic installations in Gulf states.
In addition to discussing Iran’s situation, US representatives used the occasion to talk about a daring rescue operation of two airmen. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the task proved to be very difficult, while Chief of the Joint Staff Dan Caine praised the pilot’s ability to survive because of his absolute willingness to live.
Mr. Trump also highlighted splits within his own military advisors about the rescue mission, noting that his administration is hunting down the origin of the leak connected to the episode, threatening serious consequences – even imprisonment – for those involved.
Outside of the battlefield, the US president condemned certain allies for their failure to back him in the fight, suggesting further growing divisions in geopolitics. Furthermore, President Trump also stressed his desire to have control over the oil resources in the region, including countries like Iran and Venezuela, indicating that there is more than just warfare at stake in this situation.
On March 21, President Trump gave Iran 48 hours to open up the vital oil shipping route in the region. That deadline was repeatedly pushed back since then.
In fact, it was not the only occasion in the last couple of weeks when Mr. Trump threatened Iran’s power plants, facilities that millions of Iranians depend on to provide electricity for their education, healthcare, living quarters and various other components of daily civilian life. Such deliberate destruction of civil structures falls under the definition of a war crime in international humanitarian law.
