U.S. President Donald Trump stated on April 6 that Iran could be destroyed in one night, and suggested that “that night could be tomorrow”, Euronews reports.
The U.S. has a plan “in minute detail,” according to which all bridges and power plants in Iran could be destroyed if Tehran does not agree to a deal, he said at a press conference at the White House. Trump stated that the U.S. president has given Iran an ultimatum that expires at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, Eastern Time (midnight Greenwich Mean Time, 3 AM April 8 Moscow time), BBC writes.
“By midnight tomorrow, every bridge in Iran will be completely destroyed, and every power plant will be out of service — they will burn, explode, and never be used again. This could happen within four hours if we want it to. But we don’t want that to happen,” said the head of the White House.
At the same time, the U.S. president stated that he does not consider the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Iran a war crime and is “not concerned at all” about such accusations.
These statements from the American leader triggered an immediate reaction both within the U.S. and beyond, as they concern not military targets but civilian infrastructure on which the lives of millions depend.
As AP notes, experts in international humanitarian law warn that strikes on power plants, bridges, and other critical infrastructure without proven direct military necessity may fall under the prohibition of attacks on civilian objects.
The Guardian also reports that Trump’s critics — from lawyers to opposition politicians — interpreted these words as a public justification for potentially illegal actions.
Trump also made a resonant statement about public sentiment in Iran itself. He claims that the American side supposedly has messages from the Iranians themselves, calling for continued strikes. “They are willing to endure this for freedom,” he stated.
According to Trump, regime change in Iran has already occurred. “But we did not do this for regime change,” he added.
“The biggest strike will be delivered against Iran”
At the press conference, alongside Trump were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
In his speech, Hegseth indicated that combat operations will only intensify. According to him, the intensity of strikes has already reached its peak since the beginning of the operation and will continue to grow.
“Today, the largest volume of strikes will be delivered since the very first day. And tomorrow — even more than today,” said the head of the Pentagon.
Trump himself noted that, despite the escalation, Iran continues to participate in negotiations. According to him, Tehran remains “an active and interested participant” in a possible settlement.
“I cannot talk about a ceasefire, but I can tell you that we have an active and interested participant on the other side. They would like to reach an agreement. I cannot say more,” Trump said, adding that “we need a deal that will be acceptable to me, and one of its conditions will be ensuring the free flow of oil and everything else,” referring to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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