Trump says Iran could be destroyed in one night

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran must agree to a deal by Tuesday night or face serious consequences. In his words, the United States could ‘liquidate the entire country in one night’.

‘That night could be as early as tomorrow,’ Trump told reporters at the White House. He also reiterated that the US is prepared to hit energy infrastructure and other key targets if Tehran does not accept the terms of the ceasefire.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a briefing that Monday would see the largest number of attacks since the first day of the operation against Iran and warned that there would be even more on Tuesday.

Trump also recounted a weekend operation by US forces to rescue a pilot shot down over Iranian territory. He said the pilot was hiding in the mountains and trying to get to higher ground to increase the chances of a successful rescue.

Hundreds of US troops were involved in the operation, with the goal of getting the pilot to safety before Iranian forces could find him. Trump said he would demand that the journalist who first published information about the rescue of the airman in Iran reveal his source and threatened him with jail if he did not.

(reuters, est)