New Delhi, Updated At: 06:35 AM Apr 07, 2026 IST
US President Donald Trump warned that the United States could target and destroy major civilian infrastructure in Iran — including bridges and power plants — if Tehran failed to agree to a deal by a set deadline, sharply escalating tensions in West Asia.
Repeating an ultimatum tied to an 8 pm (EST) Tuesday deadline, Trump said Washington could “decimate” Iran’s infrastructure within hours and claimed such an operation could be executed within four hours. “We have a plan… where every bridge in Iran will be decimated… where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again,” he said. He added the US did not wish to carry out such destruction and suggested the US could help rebuild Iran if a deal were reached.
Trump said the administration had received a ceasefire proposal but called it inadequate, describing it as a “significant step” yet “not good enough.” Speaking at the White House Easter Egg Roll, he also said Iran remained an “active, willing participant” in negotiations and that talks with intermediaries were “going well.” He later warned Iran could be “taken out” in a single night, seemingly referring to the same deadline.
The comments came as an international push to broker peace proposed a two-tier ceasefire plan conveyed via mediators including Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey. The draft envisages an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive agreement within 45 days, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme and phased relief from US-led sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Washington was intensifying military action, stating: “Further to President Trump’s directions, today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one. Tomorrow? Even more than today.”
Iran signalled firm resistance through a response delivered via Pakistan. Tehran’s reply, framed in 10 clauses, demands a permanent end to hostilities, cessation of military action, a protocol ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction measures and lifting of sanctions. Earlier, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei dismissed a prior 15-point proposal as “unconventional, illogical and excessively demanding,” saying “negotiation is in no way compatible with ultimatums, atrocity or threats” and urging compensation and a structured framework before any reopening of the Strait.
The diplomatic activity follows intensified hostilities and rising civilian casualties. Iran alleged that six children were killed in strikes in Qom in the past 12 hours and that the Sharif University of Technology was hit by bunker-buster bombs — the fifth university struck in a month. Iran also said a senior intelligence figure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in a strike.
The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy artery, has been disrupted since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began in late February, contributing to higher oil and gas prices and market instability.
Backchannel efforts over the weekend included Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaking with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi conveying the latest proposal. Despite this flurry of diplomacy, there was no confirmation of a breakthrough by late Monday, with major gaps remaining on sanctions, security guarantees and control of strategic waterways.
