US President Donald Trump has said his deadline to Tehran of 8pm ET on Tuesday (3am Wednesday in Iran) to return to negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is final, amid intensifying military threats and diplomatic efforts to avert a wider regional war .
Speaking on Monday night, Trump warned that "the entire country could be wiped out in one night, and that night could be tomorrow night" if Iran failed to comply.
He also threatened to destroy key infrastructure, stating that "every bridge in Iran will be reduced to rubble" and that power plants would be "taken out of service, burn, and explode, and will never be used again".
When asked whether targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime, Trump dismissed the concern, saying of Iran: "they are animals".
Iran’s military, meanwhile, rejected the remarks as "delusional".
Tehran has also formally rebuffed Trump's proposed temporary ceasefire and issued its own demands in a 10-point framework, including a permanent end to the war, demands for sanctions relief, and a reconstruction plan.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, some maritime traffic has continued through the Strait of Hormuz, with a Malaysian-flagged vessel among those reported to have passed through the waterway on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Israel signalled the possibility of further escalation, including targeting public transport in Iran.
The Israeli military issued a warning on their Persian-language social media channels, warning Iranians not to use trains until 8pm local time "for the sake of your security", suggesting that rail infrastructure could be the next target.
Israeli media, including the public broadcaster Kan , reported that preparations were underway for a significant escalation should Trump’s deadline pass without agreement. Strikes on Iran persist, as Tehran retaliates on Gulf Across the Gulf, Iranian attacks and attempted strikes have continued ahead of the apparent deadline.
In Saudi Arabia, an overnight attack targeted a petrochemical complex belonging to the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) in the industrial hub of Jubail, a key centre for global petrochemical production.
Separately, Saudi authorities said they intercepted seven ballistic missiles aimed at Eastern Province, with debris falling near energy facilities, and shot down 18 drones.
Traffic on the King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was temporarily suspended as a precaution amid fears of further attacks, before later resuming.
In the UAE, air defence systems also intercepted a missile threat, according to officials.
At the same time, US and Israeli strikes on Iran have continued.
At least 15 people were reported killed in overnight attacks, including six bodies recovered from rubble in Pardis , east of Tehran, and nine others killed in a strike on a residential area in Shahriar , west of the capital, according to officials.
In Tehran, Mehrabad Airport was hit , with footage showing a large fireball rising over the facility.
Iran’s Red Crescent said rescue teams were searching for survivors after an airstrike struck a residential neighbourhood in the capital.
A synagogue in central Tehran was also damaged in a separate strike on a nearby residential building, though no casualties were reported.
Elsewhere, Kashan airport in Isfahan province sustained damage, while Israeli officials claimed to have struck a petrochemical site in Shiraz allegedly linked to the production of materials for ballistic missiles, though no evidence was provided. Race against time for diplomatic breakthrough Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis remain underway, but appear increasingly strained by conflicting views of the warring parties.
US officials told The Wall Street Journal that significant gaps remain between Washington and Tehran’s positions ahead of the deadline.
Arab officials also told the US outlet that Tehran expects continued joint US-Israeli strikes even if negotiations resume, and believes Trump may yet extend the deadline.
Meanwhile, regional mediation efforts are ongoing.
Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Pakistan has also sought to play a mediating role.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan warned that efforts to halt the war were approaching a " critical, sensitive stage " with the coming hours to set the trajectory of the war.