Iran conducted new offensives in the Middle East on Monday and issued a warning of severe retaliation in response to President Donald Trump’s forceful demand for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports from Israel, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates confirmed multiple missile and drone attacks early Monday, coinciding with escalating rhetoric from Tehran’s central military command. The command cautioned of even more destructive retaliation if civilian targets were struck by its adversaries.
This warning followed Trump’s threat to annihilate Iran’s civilian infrastructure unless Tehran complied with his demands to reopen the Gulf for shipping. Iran’s actions had effectively blocked the vital energy passage at the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Trump’s explicit demand on Sunday.
In a subsequent post, the president appeared to set a deadline for Iran to comply by “Tuesday, 8:00 PM” (0000 GMT Wednesday). Amid Easter observances, Trump reiterated the possibility of airstrikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, following the successful rescue of a downed airman within Iranian territory.
Although Iranian images showed aircraft wreckage, Tehran did not dispute reports of the airman being rescued by US forces, who located him while he sought shelter in a mountainous area. Trump announced the rescue on Truth Social and indicated plans for a news conference on Monday.
The conflict, which began with deadly strikes on Tehran on February 28, has engulfed the Middle East and strained global economies. Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities and Gulf infrastructure have driven energy prices higher, with oil trading up in Asia.
While Trump suggested progress in negotiations with Iran, security experts expressed doubts about the likelihood of a successful agreement under current conditions. Trump’s declaration of impending strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges drew strong reactions, with Iran accusing him of taking cues from Israel’s Prime Minister.
Amid tensions, Russia condemned Trump’s threats and urged a return to negotiations. Despite the escalating situation, many residents in Tehran appeared unfazed by Trump’s remarks, engaging in leisure activities in the city.
The rescued US airman, equipped with essential tools, was extracted from Iran by US forces, though some aircraft involved in the operation were reportedly destroyed to prevent capture. Iran claimed to have downed four US aircraft, resulting in casualties during the operation.
Gulf nations reported fresh strikes, with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates intercepting missiles and drones. The UAE faced attacks on its territory, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
In Iran, residential areas in Tehran were targeted, causing gas outages in parts of the capital. Israel conducted strikes on regime targets in Tehran, while Lebanon faced increased involvement as Hezbollah resumed hostilities against Israel.
As the conflict escalated, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to prioritize peace in his Easter address, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolutions to the mounting tensions.
