Iran’s central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi describing Trump’s warning as destabilizing and vowing retaliation. “The gates of hell will open for you,” he said, echoing the language used by the U.S. president in recent statements.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said multiple fires broke out at the Borouge Petrochemicals facility in Ruwais after debris from intercepted projectiles struck the site. Operations at the plant, a joint venture involving Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., were suspended pending damage assessment, with no injuries reported.

The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defence systems were actively engaging missile and drone threats, without specifying their origin. In Bahrain, Bapco Energies reported that a storage tank caught fire following an attack, though the blaze was later contained and no casualties were recorded.

In Kuwait, a fire erupted at the Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses key energy infrastructure including the headquarters of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. State media reported material damage and the shutdown of two power and water units, with no casualties.

The Israeli military said missiles launched from Iran targeted its territory, while also reporting a separate missile fired from Yemen, marking the fifth such launch since the start of the conflict. Air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming threats.

The escalation underscores the widening scope of a conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 and has since spread across the region. Iran has maintained restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, while targeting economic infrastructure in Gulf states it associates with the U.S.-Israeli campaign.

Trump reiterated his ultimatum in a post on Truth Social, warning that time was running out for Iran to comply. He also released a video referencing strikes in Tehran that he said killed multiple Iranian military leaders, though he did not provide details on timing or verification.

Separately, Iranian media reported that U.S.-Israeli strikes in Ardabil province in the country’s northwest killed three people and wounded three others, citing a local official.

Iran’s military command said Iraqi vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite broader restrictions, describing Iraq as exempt from measures imposed on what it termed “enemy countries.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on state television that no formal negotiations or dialogue were under way with Washington, despite the exchange of messages via third-party countries.

He described the communications as indirect and limited to conveying positions and warnings rather than structured diplomacy.Trump, speaking at an event in Washington later on Wednesday, said Iranian leaders were effectively negotiating and eager to reach an agreement but reluctant to acknowledge it publicly, citing fears of internal backlash and external pressure. He did not specify which Iranian officials were involved.

Araqchi reiterated that Iran’s stance remained unchanged, emphasizing that message exchanges through “friendly countries” did not constitute negotiations. His remarks underscored the absence of direct diplomatic engagement even as international efforts intensify to contain the conflict.

The divergence in public messaging highlights the opaque nature of backchannel communications, with both sides signaling differing interpretations of the same exchanges. No official confirmation has been provided by Washington regarding the structure or participants of any indirect contacts.

A 15-point U.S. proposal, transmitted via Pakistan, calls for Iran to dismantle its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, halt enrichment activities, limit its ballistic missile programme, and cease support for regional allied groups, according to Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan.

The proposal forms part of broader efforts to de-escalate hostilities that began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf states. Senior Iranian leadership has been severely impacted, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reported killed in an early strike and his successor Mojtaba Khamenei wounded and absent from public view.

The conflict has triggered what analysts describe as the most severe energy shock on record, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Fuel shortages have emerged across multiple regions, driving price spikes and straining industries ranging from aviation to retail and automotive markets. Governments are considering emergency support measures similar to those deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic as supply chains face mounting pressure.

Agricultural sectors have also been affected, with farmers struggling to secure diesel supplies, raising concerns over food production.

The World Food Programme has warned that tens of millions more people could face acute hunger if the conflict persists into June.