Washington: The White House has set a strict deadline — 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5.30 am IST Wednesday) — for Iran to “make a deal” with the US, with tensions rising ahead of President Trump’s ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said this to IANS on Tuesday, that Iran faces a strict deadline set by Donald Trump, highlighting rising tensions and increased pressure from the United States.
“The Iranian regime has until 8 PM Eastern Time to meet the moment and make a deal with the United States. Only the President knows where things stand and what he will do,” Leavitt told IANS.
Her remarks come as Trump publicly signalled both the risk of catastrophic escalation and the possibility of political change inside Iran.
“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump said in a social media post, adding: “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
He also pointed to what he described as a decisive shift underway.
“However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?” he said.
Trump framed the moment as historic.
“We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World,” he added.
Vice President JD Vance earlier stressed that Washington’s objective was to force a change in Iran’s behaviour, while leaving the path to de-escalation open if Tehran engaged.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, reiterated that the United States was prepared to act decisively to protect its interests and ensure stability in critical global energy routes.
The statements reflect a coordinated message from the administration — combining a firm deadline, warnings of severe consequences, and continued pressure on Iran’s leadership.
Over the past several days, U.S. military operations have expanded in scope, targeting Iranian-linked infrastructure and raising the risk of a broader regional conflict.
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Caption: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gestures at a White House press briefing in Washington, D.C., the United States, March 25, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump will “unleash hell” if Iran refuses to make a deal over the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday. (Xinhua via IANS)
–IANS
