Following the deaths of Iranian commanders, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei affirmed Iran’s course while President Trump issued a stark ultimatum threatening total destruction.
Khamenei Addresses Commander Deaths
Since his election on March 8th, Mostafa Chamenei has not appeared in public. In a statement published via Telegram regarding the death of intelligence commander Majid Khademi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Khamenei assured that his death will not affect the “cohesion” of Iranian armed forces.
Khamenei described attacks by the United States and Israel as “crimes against humanity” and accused those countries of violating international law. He also criticized global institutions for their silence, “and in some cases for complicity in fueling the conflict.”
Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran
During a Monday press conference, President Trump again threatened the destruction of Iran, stating it could occur between Tuesday and Wednesday night. The ultimatum he set for authorities in Tehran expires Tuesday evening.
“The whole country can be destroyed in one night, and that night could be tomorrow,” Trump stated at a White House conference. He reminded attendees that the ultimatum for Iran expires at 8 PM Eastern Time (2 AM in Poland). If Iran does not reach an agreement, it will have no power plants, bridges, and will return to the Stone Age, the President warned.
Trump specified that American forces could destroy all Iranian bridges and power plants within four hours, by midnight Eastern Time on Wednesday.
Negotiations and Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump simultaneously assured that he would prefer not to take such action and emphasized that talks with Iran are ongoing. He also expressed hope that the Iranians are negotiating in good faith.
Trump stressed that any agreement with Iran must guarantee the free flow of oil, emphasizing that opening the Strait of Hormuz is a “high priority.” He asserted that Americans have won the war and therefore have the right to charge fees for the use of this waterway by ships, rather than Iran.
Reporting from Washington, Natalia Dziurdzińska.
