Trump warns Iran of possible ‘overnight destruction’ amid rising tensions

US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed Iran could be “destroyed overnight” if it fails to comply with American demands.

Trump said the Iranian leadership was not taking seriously a deadline set by Washington. He warned of what he described as a potential “hellish night”, suggesting that military action could occur imminently.

“The destruction of an entire country can happen in one night and it could happen as soon as tomorrow night,” Trump stated.

The warning follows an earlier declaration on Sunday, when Trump said that unless Iran reopened the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by the evening of 7 April, the United States would target Iranian power stations and other key infrastructure.

Iranian officials have responded with apparent sarcasm. The Iran Embassy in Zimbabwe mocked the timing of the US ultimatum in a social media post.

“20:00 is not very convenient. Could you move it to between 13:00 and 14:00, or, if possible, between 01:00 and 02:00? Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” the Embassy wrote.