President Donald Trump warned Iran of imminent severe strikes if a deal to end the war is not reached by a Tuesday night deadline [1].

The ultimatum increases the risk of a major escalation in the Middle East, as the U.S. seeks to force Iran to accept specific demands to end hostilities.

Trump said, "We are in a critical period — if Iran does not agree by Tuesday night we will hit its bridges and power plants" [2]. The threat follows a period of intense pressure on Iranian infrastructure and strategic locations, including the Strait of Hormuz [3].

Earlier this month, Trump said that the war is close to over [4]. However, the current tension centers on a 15-point list of U.S. demands [5]. The administration is using the threat of infrastructure destruction to prevent further Iranian attacks on U.S. interests, and regional allies [6].

Reports on Iran's response to the demands are conflicting. Some reports indicate that Iran has agreed to most of the 15-point list [7], while other reports suggest the country remains skeptical of Washington's position and has warned of continued attacks in Lebanon [8].

International reactions to the U.S. approach have been mixed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump's rhetoric threatening to destroy Iran does not fit British values [9]. Despite the pressure from allies, Trump said to reporters, "Don't rush me" [10].

The U.S. military remains on high alert as the deadline approached, with the administration maintaining that severe strikes are the only alternative to a comprehensive agreement [2].

“"We are in a critical period — if Iran does not agree by Tuesday night we will hit its bridges and power plants"”

The use of a hard deadline and threats against civilian and strategic infrastructure marks a shift toward maximum pressure tactics. By targeting power plants and bridges, the U.S. is attempting to create immediate internal leverage within Iran to force a diplomatic concession on the 15-point demand list, though this strategy risks alienating key Western allies and triggering a wider regional conflict.