New Delhi (India) April 7:As tensions in West Asia are increasing, US President Donald Trump has renewed his call to Iran to reach an agreement before his deadline of Tuesday. He warned that failure to do so might lead to destruction that will not be able to be reversed. His recent comments have increased the tension over a situation that is already quite unstable as the two sides have been in conflict for more than a month.
Trump's Truth Social Warning to Tehran
The American president gave the harsh warning, about 12 hours before the time he set as the deadline for Iran to accept a deal that involves the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or else having to endure strong strikes.
Trump wrote, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!” on his Truth Social account.
Deadline Drama: From 48 Hours to April 7
Trump has kept threatening Iran with the heaviest consequences if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to them. He first gave Tehran 48 hours to open the key navigation route followed by extensions multiple times. The first period lasted for five days while the second one which started on 28th March was for ten days. That one was supposed to end on -Monday but Trump pushed the deadline again and set the new cut-off for April 7.
Strikes Hit Kharg Island Oil Hub
Strikes targeted Iran on Tuesday, 12 hours before the USA and Israel's set deadline. According to reports, one of the main targets was the Kharg Island , which is very important to Iran's oil export system. The island handles almost 90% of Iran's oil shipments, so it is the country's major economic lifeline.
Along with oil infrastructure, the strikes also damaged bridges, a major highway, and some other strategic buildings. Residential areas were also impacted by the attacks.
IRGC Vows Retaliation Beyond Region
After the strikes, Iran's leadership issued their reactions and warnings very strongly. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a statement saying that if further escalation happens, wider retaliation will be the consequence.
"Our response will go beyond the region, " the IRGC said in an official statement. Indirectly, Iranian officials also encouraged the people to help in the effort of taking protective measures such as making human chains around power plants and other key infrastructure sites just before the deadline expires.