US President Donald Trump has said the US could destroy Iran "overnight" by demanding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the British newspaper "Financial Times" headlined.
The US president has stepped up threats to strike Iran's civilian infrastructure if Tehran doesn't agree to a deal by midnight tonight, the newspaper said.
Trump made the comments at the White House yesterday, ahead of his own deadline for Iran to strike a deal with Washington or face new attacks on civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
"The entire country could be destroyed overnight, and tonight could be tomorrow," Trump told reporters at the White House.
He warned that the US had a plan "that would have all the bridges in Iran destroyed and all the power plants taken out of service and never to be used again" within hours of the deadline.
Trump also said that passage through the Strait of Hormuz - which has been restricted since the US and Israel began the war - was a "very high priority" and should be part of any ceasefire agreement.
He added that the US expected to control Iran's oil sector after the war. "To the victor belongs the spoils," Trump said.
Iran's top military command described Trump's latest threats as "crazy." Tehran earlier said it had rejected what it called a US ceasefire plan.
Trump's bellicose rhetoric and Iran's apparent rejection of a US-proposed ceasefire agreement came on the eve of another turning point in the Middle East war, which has been going on for more than five weeks, has rattled international markets and raised fears of a deep global energy crisis, the Financial Times notes.
After repeatedly saying the war would end in two to three weeks, Trump said yesterday he did not know whether the conflict would escalate or end soon, although he claimed that negotiations were underway.
"I can't say. It depends on what they do. This is a critical period," Trump said, adding: "Now we'll see what happens. I can tell you they are negotiating. We believe they are doing it in good faith."
Tehran has threatened "destructive attacks" in response to further US or Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure, raising concerns about further disruptions to energy supplies. Earlier on Wednesday, Israel struck petrochemical facilities in Iran.
According to Iranian state media, Tehran has demanded that any agreement lead to a "permanent end to the war," as well as the lifting of US sanctions and a "protocol" for safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the "Financial Times" indicates.
Trump threatens new escalation, amid the approaching deadline for an agreement with Iran, the American newspaper "Washington Post" states in the headline.
The American president highlighted the successes of the US military operation and expressed disappointment with the difficult resolution to the expensive and unpopular war, which has been going on for five weeks. He has already postponed his threat to bomb power plants twice.
"We are the winners. We won. Is that clear?", Trump said in the briefing room at the White House and added: "They are militarily defeated. All they have left is the psychology of, "Well, we'll throw a few mines in the water."
He dismissed concerns that his threat to bomb infrastructure would violate the Geneva Conventions - a series of treaties the United States signed after World War II to limit risks to civilians.
"We don't want that to happen," Trump said, adding, "We might even get involved in helping to rebuild their country. And you know what? If that is the case, the last thing we want to do is start with power plants, which are among the most expensive things.
Trump threatens to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure, risking a serious escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, writes the French newspaper "Le Monde" in a headline.
The American president called on Tehran to accept a ceasefire agreement by midnight tonight, which, among other things, would lead to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran refuses, he promised that bridges and power plants would be subjected to massive bombing, without considering that such actions would amount to war crimes.
Although Trump is used to postponing or forgetting ultimatums - whether they are addressed to Russia or Iran - this time he seems determined to pass the point of no return, notes "Monde".
The American president showed no concern whatsoever regarding the mentioned violations of international law. As for the colossal damage that would be caused to the population, Trump replied: "They would be willing to endure this to have freedom. Intelligence has numerous recordings (of communications) in which they urge us: "Please keep bombing" - even though the bombs are falling close to their homes - "Please keep bombing. Do it".
In fact, Trump started the war against the Islamic Republic, calling on the people of Iran to rise up and overthrow the theocratic government, Le Monde recalled.