Iran on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s ’48-hour ultimatum’ in which he threatened to destroy the country’s essential infrastructure if a deal was not reached within the stipulated time.Tehran’s Central Military Command issued a strong response, with General Ali Abdullahi Aliabadi of the Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters calling the US president’s comments ‘a helpless, panicked, unbalanced and foolish action’.According to AFP, he echoed Trump’s message, saying, “The simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you.”
What did Trump say earlier?
Trump warned Tehran in his Truth social post on Saturday that it would face serious military consequences if Iran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or reach an agreement.The US President had earlier set a deadline on Iran amid rising tensions in West Asia, especially over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz. Time is running out – 48 hours before it rains heavily on them. Glory to God! President Donald J. Trump.”The latest ultimatum comes despite recent signs of diplomatic engagement between the two sides.On March 26, Trump announced a temporary moratorium on potential attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. He said the decision was taken following Tehran’s request, while adding that talks were progressing positively.In that statement, Trump said: “As requested by the Iranian government, please allow this statement to reflect that I am suspending the energy plant destruction period for 10 days until 8 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026.” Eastern Time. Negotiations are ongoing and despite misrepresentations from the fake news media and others, they are going very well.Read this also ‘Hell will rain’: Trump’s new ultimatum of 48 hours for Iran to make a deal or open HormuzEarlier, he had also directed the US War Department to initially postpone possible attacks for five days, citing ongoing negotiations.The Strait of Hormuz remains the center of the standoff, as it is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.Trump’s repeated warnings have focused on reopening the strategic route, with earlier ultimatums also linking failure to compliance to potential attacks on Iran’s energy facilities.
