President Donald Trump on Monday threatened severe retaliation against Tehran if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, praising U.S. special forces for rescuing an airman in a high-risk mission deep inside Iran.
Fresh airstrikes continue across the region, over five weeks into the U.S.-Israeli campaign that has killed thousands and disrupted global oil markets. In retaliation, Iran has closed the Hormuz waterway and targeted Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf energy infrastructure. Explosions in Tehran and strikes on residential areas reportedly killed at least 13, though independent verification is pending. Iran also fired rockets at Israel, damaging Haifa and Tel Aviv, without immediate casualty reports.
Trump suggested Iran is negotiating a potential 45-day ceasefire, followed by a broader agreement. UAE adviser Anwar Gargash stressed that any deal must ensure Hormuz access and restrain Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.
The conflict has claimed around 3,540 lives in Iran, including 244 children, and 1,461 in Lebanon from Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets.
The rescued airman, a weapons officer from an F-15 downed on Friday, was extracted by U.S. commandos under challenging conditions. Malfunctioning aircraft prompted the destruction of disabled planes to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Iranian hands.
