Trump threatens Iran strikes as Hormuz deadline nears
Source: theguardian.com
TL;DR
- Trump warns Iran of civilization-ending strikes unless it reopens Strait of Hormuz by 8pm Washington deadline.
- Nearly 3,600 killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran since they began, including 1,665 civilians and 248 children.
- Escalating attacks risk wider regional war, oil spills, and war crimes amid UN condemnation of civilian targeting.
The story at a glance
US President Donald Trump threatens Iran with devastating strikes if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by an 8pm Washington deadline, amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iranian infrastructure. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US VP JD Vance add to the rhetoric, while the UN rights chief warns of war crimes from civilian attacks. This live update captures Tuesday's strikes, casualties, and side incidents as the deadline nears, in a month-long US-Israel-Iran conflict spilling into Lebanon and beyond.
Key points
- Trump states a "whole civilization will die tonight" but Iran has time to capitulate before the 8pm deadline for a deal including Strait of Hormuz reopening.
- US struck Kharg Island oil export terminal again; Israel hit railways, bridges used by Revolutionary Guards and a Shiraz petrochemical site for missile components (Guardian could not verify).
- Iranian Red Crescent reports US-Israel struck 17 civilian targets Tuesday morning, calling them war crimes; HRANA tallies 3,600 total deaths since strikes began, with 1,665 civilians and 248 children.
- Lebanon reports 1,530 dead in Israel-Hezbollah war, including 102 women, 130 children, 57 health workers; Israeli military warns ships off southern Lebanon.
- Oil slick from US-struck Iranian drone carrier Shahid Bagheri threatens Gulf wetlands; rockets from Kuwait direction kill 3 near Basra, toll may rise.
- White House denies Vance's comments implied nuclear strike; UN's Volker Turk decries "incendiary rhetoric" and civilian attacks as war crimes.
- Three gunmen with possible religious extremist ties attack empty Israeli consulate in Istanbul; one killed, others and two police injured.
Details and context
- Strikes have hit key Iranian oil facilities like Kharg Island and Shiraz petrochemicals, disrupting exports and missile production, per AP and IDF (some unverified).
- Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon has caused over 4,800 wounded in more than a month; Israel now targets maritime areas near Tyre due to militant activity.
- HRANA recorded 573 attacks across 20 provinces on Monday alone, the highest in ten days, with 49 civilians killed that day.
- Shootout at Istanbul consulate involved attackers linked to a religious-exploiting group, though no Israeli staff present for 2.5 years.
Key quotes
- "A whole civilization will die tonight," US President Donald Trump warned, giving Iran time before 8pm deadline.
- "Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime," UN rights chief Volker Turk said.
Why it matters
The conflict risks drawing in more regional players, disrupting global oil via Hormuz and causing environmental damage from spills. Readers face potential energy price spikes, while businesses and investors eye supply chain chaos from strikes on oil terminals. Watch Trump's 8pm deadline and Iran's response, though outcomes remain highly uncertain amid unverified claims.