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Iranians Mix Shock and Defiance Before Trump Deadline

Source: nytimes.com

TL;DR

Iranians react to Trump's 8 p.m. ET Tuesday deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz with shock, defiance, and bewilderment.
Trump threatens to destroy power plants, desalination plants, oil installations, and bridges if Iran refuses.
Ordinary citizens like Tehran arts worker Lili make no escape plans amid questions over American values.

The story at a glance

The article reports on ordinary Iranians' responses to President Trump's ultimatum, hours before a deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on civilian infrastructure. Key figures include Trump, who renewed threats at a Monday White House news conference after U.S. forces rescued two airmen shot down over Iran on Friday, and Tehran resident Lili, who spoke anonymously. This comes amid an ongoing U.S.-Iran war that began weeks ago, with Iran blocking the vital oil route. The deadline is being reported now as it nears on Tuesday.

Key points

Trump vowed at a news conference to level Iran's power and desalination plants, oil installations, and bridges if the Strait remains closed by 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday.
He warned, "The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night."
Iranians show a mix of indifference, defiance, and bewilderment; some brace for strikes while questioning what happened to American values.
Lili, an arts worker in Tehran, said Trump seemed under pressure and had "lost his mind," but her family made no contingency plans like fleeing or stocking goods.
The threats follow a U.S. rescue of two airmen whose jet was downed over Iran last Friday.
Iran has rejected U.S. ceasefire proposals via mediators like Pakistan, demanding a permanent end to the war, sanctions relief, and safe Hormuz passage.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/world/middleeast/iran-shock-defiance-trump-deadline-threat.html)[[2]](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-vows-hell-iran-if-strait-stays-shut-says-deal-is-possible-2026-04-06)

Details and context

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil passes in peacetime, has been blocked by Iran amid a war that started in late February 2026, disrupting energy markets and spiking prices.[[3]](https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-7-2026-421ee64fdc9a5c26460df8119c7d1b3f) Trump first issued deadlines on March 21 and has extended them several times, mixing threats with hints of talks, though he called Tuesday's "final."[[4]](https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-deadline-final-strait-hormuz-1c0894ef4a2c2feaabc326cc68571c33)

Iranian officials dismissed the rhetoric as "arrogant" and "delusional," vowing continued operations against U.S. and Israeli forces while urging civilians to protect sites.[[5]](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-defiant-as-deadline-looms-for-trump-threat-to-infrastructure?ref=latest) Tehran sent a 10-point counterproposal seeking permanent peace but no temporary ceasefire.

Strikes continue on both sides, with recent explosions in Tehran and Iranian missiles at regional targets.

Key quotes

“The first thing that came to my mind is that I think Trump is under a lot of pressure, and that he has lost his mind,” said Lili, a Tehran arts worker who requested anonymity.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/world/middleeast/iran-shock-defiance-trump-deadline-threat.html)

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump warned at a White House news conference.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/world/middleeast/iran-shock-defiance-trump-deadline-threat.html)

Why it matters

The standoff risks wider destruction in a war already upending global oil flows and raising energy costs. For everyday people in Iran, it means potential blackouts and water shortages; for markets and consumers worldwide, higher prices and volatility. Watch whether Trump extends the deadline again or acts, though officials hint at possible last-minute diplomacy.