Iran has rejected a U.S. ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as military strikes intensified and diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan approached what officials described as a critical stage.

With hours remaining before the deadline, a senior Iranian source said Tehran would not reopen the strategic waterway without concessions from Washington that had not been offered. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, has effectively been closed by Iran to most international shipping since late February following joint U.S.-Israeli military actions.

Trump warned that failure to comply would result in large-scale destruction of Iranian infrastructure, including power grids and bridges. In a social media post, he stated that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” framing the moment as a pivotal point in global history.

The remarks drew criticism from legal experts, including a former U.S. State Department adviser now with the International Crisis Group, who said the language could be interpreted as a threat violating international norms.

Military activity escalated across Iran throughout the day. Strikes were reported on transport infrastructure, including railway and highway bridges, as well as an airport and a petrochemical facility. U.S. forces also targeted installations on Kharg Island, which hosts Iran’s primary oil export terminal.

Power outages were reported in parts of Karaj following damage to transmission lines and a substation.Iran signalled a broadening of its response. Officials warned that Gulf states aligned with Washington could face retaliatory strikes on critical infrastructure.

A senior Iranian source said such actions could disrupt electricity and water supplies in desert cities dependent on energy systems.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a statement saying previous restraint had ended and that Tehran would seek to deprive the United States and its regional allies of oil and gas resources.

Iranian authorities also claimed responsibility for attacks on a vessel in the Gulf and on a major Saudi petrochemical facility in Jubail, where international energy companies operate.In parallel, reports emerged of an overnight strike on a synagogue in Tehran, which Iranian officials attributed to Israeli forces.

Footage aired by state media showed debris scattered across the site, including religious texts. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the incident.Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan continued amid the escalation.

Iranian officials said mediation attempts were “approaching a critical, sensitive stage,” with Islamabad relaying messages between the two sides. A proposal under discussion included a temporary ceasefire and partial reopening of the strait, with broader negotiations to follow.

However, Iranian sources said Tehran had rejected interim arrangements, insisting instead on a permanent cessation of hostilities, guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damage.Iran’s conditions, as outlined through official channels, also included maintaining control over the strait and introducing a mechanism to regulate transit, potentially involving fees.

Prior to the conflict, the waterway functioned as an open international route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed.Despite the intensifying conflict, global markets showed limited reaction, reflecting uncertainty over whether the U.S. would carry out the threatened escalation.

Trump has previously issued similar warnings but later stepped back, citing unspecified progress in talks, claims that Iranian officials have denied.On the ground, residents expressed concern over the prospect of further escalation.

A resident in Isfahan said she hoped the latest threats would not materialise, reflecting broader public anxiety as military actions continued.Iran maintains that any negotiations must follow a halt to U.S. and Israeli strikes and include the lifting of sanctions.

Without such measures, officials indicated that Tehran would continue its current posture, including restrictions on maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

As the deadline approached, neither side signalled a willingness to compromise, raising the risk of further escalation in a conflict that has already disrupted regional stability and global energy flows.

The victim, believed to be around 60 years old, died in Tel Aviv following a missile impact, according to Magen David Adom, which added that two others sustained minor injuries.

The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory, with air defense systems activated to intercept the threat.Search and rescue teams were deployed to multiple impact sites in central Israel, the military said, while witnesses reported seeing missile trails over Jerusalem.

Explosions were also heard in Jericho in the occupied West Bank.Emergency responders were seen at the scene in Tel Aviv, where a main road was partially sealed off following the strike.

Israeli authorities said earlier that at least 18 civilians had been killed since the start of the conflict, including 13 Israelis, four minors, a Filipino caregiver and a Thai national, in missile attacks attributed to Iran.

The military warned that additional missile launches were detected as Saturday approached, indicating the continuation of hostilities.Iran signals retaliationIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Tehran would impose a “heavy price” for Israeli actions, following reported strikes on major Iranian steel facilities and nuclear sites.

The exchange of attacks marks an intensification of the conflict between the two countries, with both sides continuing cross-border strikes amid mounting civilian casualties.

In the statement, Pezeshkian said Iran had attempted to avoid war through diplomatic engagement with neighbouring governments but that recent military actions by the United States and Israel had forced Tehran to act in self-defence. “We have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves,” he wrote.

The Iranian president addressed the message to what he described as “friendly and neighboring states,” stressing that Tehran respects the sovereignty of countries across the Middle East. He added that regional security and stability should be achieved collectively by states in the region rather than through outside intervention.

Iranian officials have repeatedly framed their military posture in recent months as defensive, arguing that the country is responding to external threats. Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect Tehran’s long-standing position that regional security arrangements should be managed by Middle Eastern governments themselves.

The message appeared aimed at reassuring neighbouring governments that Iran’s response would not threaten their territorial sovereignty while also signalling that Tehran considers recent military actions against it to justify retaliation under self-defence.

The ministry issued a heavy worded statement praising the life and legacy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, framing his political and religious role as central to the country’s independence and resistance to foreign influence.

In the statement, the ministry said Khamenei “lived a pious life, loved Iran, secured Iran’s independence, opposed foreign domination, and worked tirelessly for our country’s resilience and fortitude,” language that echoes long-standing official narratives promoted by the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

A statement heavy with symbolism

The ministry’s message went further, using highly symbolic and emotive language to describe what it called the “last phase” of Khamenei’s life, portraying his death as “honorable and dignified” and describing it as martyrdom occurring “on the 10th day of Ramadan.”

It alleged he was killed “at the hands of the most corrupt and criminal individuals on earth,” without naming those responsible or providing evidence.

Such language reflects the Islamic Republic’s deep-rooted political culture, in which martyrdom holds powerful religious and national significance, particularly in the context of confrontation with perceived external enemies.

Analysts say official references to martyrdom are often used to reinforce internal unity and frame geopolitical conflict in moral and existential terms.

Independence, resistance and legitimacy

By emphasizing themes of independence and resistance to foreign domination, the Foreign Ministry’s statement reinforces a core pillar of Iran’s state ideology: the portrayal of its leadership as guardians of sovereignty against outside interference.

This narrative has been a constant feature of official discourse amid decades of sanctions, regional rivalries and strained relations with Western powers.

The ministry said Khamenei would remain “a living nightmare for his killers forever,” a confrontational tone Tehran frequently adopts when addressing its adversaries, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.

Domestic and regional implications

While the statement does not outline any immediate policy steps, its rhetoric is likely to resonate with hardline constituencies inside Iran and among allied groups across the region. Observers note that such messaging can serve multiple purposes: consolidating domestic support, signaling defiance abroad and framing ongoing conflicts as part of a broader historical struggle.

No independent confirmation of the ministry’s claims was immediately available, and the statement offered no further details beyond its symbolic and ideological assertions.

Speaking in a televised address, Pezeshkian said foreign leaders took advantage of public frustration caused by inflation and currency collapse, turning social grievances into what he described as an externally encouraged crisis.

The protests erupted in late December after sharp rises in food prices, housing costs, and unemployment placed heavy pressure on ordinary citizens

Demonstrations spread across multiple cities, drawing in thousands who voiced anger over economic mismanagement and declining living standards.

According to Iranian officials, the unrest lasted nearly two weeks before subsiding following a forceful security response by the authorities.

Human rights groups outside the country have reported very high casualty figures, while Iranian officials have provided lower but still significant numbers, highlighting the scale and intensity of the confrontation.

President Pezeshkian alleged that Washington, Tel Aviv, and European capitals provided encouragement and resources that pushed some protesters toward violence.

He claimed that foreign leaders were not motivated by concern for Iranian citizens but by a desire to weaken national unity and fracture society.

He argued that while the protests began as economic demonstrations, they were later transformed into something more dangerous.

In his words, the unrest was no longer just about livelihoods but had become a coordinated effort to sow hatred, division, and long term instability within Iran.

The Iranian president directly named U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and unnamed European leaders as key actors.

He said they publicly supported demonstrators while privately seeking to undermine Iran’s political system.

Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the protesters and warned Tehran against continued crackdowns.

U.S. officials have indicated that various options remain under review, including potential military measures, though no final decision has been announced.

Meanwhile, reports of increased U.S. naval activity in the region have heightened concerns about escalation.

Regional observers say such developments add to an already volatile security environment in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed the president’s claims during interviews abroad, stating that thousands had been killed during the unrest, including security personnel.

He insisted that the protests were not a purely domestic phenomenon and accused foreign governments of interference.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, regional diplomacy has continued behind the scenes.

Countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly been working to ease tensions and prevent a direct military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

At the center of the broader dispute remains Iran’s missile programme and nuclear related concerns.
The United States has demanded limits on missile development as a condition for renewed talks, a demand Iran has firmly rejected.

Araqchi stated that missiles would never be part of negotiations and warned that Iran was prepared for both dialogue and conflict if necessary.

He also dismissed talk of regime change, calling it an unrealistic fantasy promoted by Iran’s adversaries.

Iranian leaders maintain that the political system is resilient and deeply rooted, capable of withstanding both internal unrest and external pressure.

They argue that while economic reforms are needed, foreign intervention only worsens hardship and delays solutions.

The protests have faded for now, but analysts believe the underlying economic challenges remain unresolved.

Rising costs, sanctions, and regional tensions continue to shape daily life in Iran and influence its foreign policy posture.

As rhetoric intensifies between Tehran and Western capitals, the risk of miscalculation remains high.

Whether diplomacy can prevail over confrontation will likely depend on how both sides address security concerns and economic pressures in the months ahead.

The decision, made by the UN Security Council, reflects the international community’s continued focus on ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful. While sanctions are restored, the European powers and UN officials underscore that diplomacy remains the primary path forward.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted that the EU will implement these measures responsibly while maintaining channels for constructive negotiations with Tehran. “Our goal is not only to uphold international agreements but to provide space for dialogue and mutual understanding,” Kallas said.

Iran has signaled its willingness to engage in consultations, recalling ambassadors to Britain, France, and Germany for discussions. President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stressing that the country remains dedicated to international cooperation and peaceful nuclear development.

Diplomatic avenues remain open, with Britain, France, and Germany offering opportunities for a long-term agreement. They called on Iran to continue talks, ensure access for UN inspectors, and address concerns regarding enriched uranium, all in good faith. The message from the international community is clear: sanctions are a temporary measure intended to guide Iran toward constructive engagement, not to hinder dialogue.

The United States reiterated its support for a diplomatic solution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that direct negotiations, conducted transparently and in good faith, are the best way to achieve sustainable outcomes for the Iranian people and the global community.

While the UN measures include temporary restrictions on certain nuclear-related activities, arms, and travel, they are designed to strengthen frameworks for cooperation rather than isolate Tehran. Officials stress that responsible implementation of these measures can enhance regional stability, reinforce international norms, and ultimately support Iran in achieving a secure and peaceful nuclear program.

This renewed focus on diplomacy, verification, and cooperation represents a positive step forward in international relations, ensuring that Iran remains a constructive partner on the global stage while maintaining peace and security in the region.

The visit comes amid a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties and address regional challenges. Prince Khalid is scheduled to hold a series of high-level meetings with Iranian officials to discuss mutual interests and explore avenues for cooperation between the two nations.

This visit follows a recent phone call on Monday between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, the two top diplomats discussed regional developments and the need for joint efforts to resolve pressing issues.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Saudi Ministry of Defense said: “Under the guidance of the leadership – may God preserve them – His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, and his accompanying delegation arrived today in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on an official visit. His Highness will hold a number of meetings to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual concern.”

The visit underscores the continuing momentum in Saudi-Iranian diplomacy following the resumption of ties last year and signals both nations’ intent to engage constructively on regional stability and cooperation.