In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned Tehran to restore access to the strategic shipping lane, which Iran has effectively closed since hostilities intensified. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” he wrote, linking potential military action directly to the disruption of maritime traffic through the strait.

The president’s remarks, delivered in forceful language, underscored the growing pressure on Iran amid ongoing military exchanges. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy supplies, and its closure has heightened concerns over disruptions to oil shipments and broader economic repercussions.

Trump also said he would hold a news conference on Monday in the Oval Office following a U.S. military operation that rescued two American pilots whose aircraft had been downed in Iran. Details of the rescue mission were not elaborated in the statement.

The threat of strikes on infrastructure marks a potential widening of targets beyond military assets, signaling an escalation in U.S. strategy as tensions persist in the region. Iran has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest warning.

The developments come amid continued fighting involving U.S. and Israeli forces and Iranian targets, with both sides reporting damage to infrastructure and military assets over the past month.

In a televised address, Trump said U.S. forces had delivered “swift, decisive” results during 32 days of operations launched after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. He added that Washington was “on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly,” while warning of further heavy attacks if no agreement is reached.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional instability, with Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states, and opening a parallel front in Lebanon. Thousands have been killed across the region since the escalation began.

Trump reiterated that the U.S. military campaign aimed to neutralize Iran’s strategic capabilities, including its nuclear program, saying recent strikes had prevented Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He did not provide evidence to support the claim.Despite the escalation, diplomatic prospects remain uncertain.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran is demanding a guaranteed ceasefire before halting its attacks and has not engaged in indirect talks on a temporary truce. Iran has also denied U.S. assertions that it requested a ceasefire.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message addressed to the American public, said Iran holds no hostility toward ordinary U.S. citizens, though official positions suggest limited willingness to enter negotiations at this stage.The war has disrupted global energy markets, particularly after Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

Trump dismissed the strategic necessity of the passage for the United States and urged allies dependent on Gulf energy supplies to take steps to reopen it.Financial markets reacted negatively to the lack of a clear diplomatic roadmap, with global equities falling and oil prices rising following Trump’s address.

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency warned the conflict was having “substantial, global and highly asymmetric” economic effects and signaled coordination on potential support measures.U.S. officials said backchannel discussions involving intermediaries, including Pakistan, were ongoing, though no breakthrough has been reported.

Trump indicated he remained open to a deal but warned that failure to reach one could result in expanded strikes, including potential targeting of Iran’s electricity infrastructure.The U.S. president also renewed pressure on allies, suggesting countries reliant on Middle Eastern energy should take a more active role in ensuring maritime security in the region.

European officials, however, have cautioned against military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns over international law.

Trump has also raised the prospect of reassessing U.S. commitments to the NATO, criticizing what he described as insufficient support from European allies in addressing the crisis.

Medics said Israeli aircraft targeted two checkpoints operated by the Hamas-run police force in Khan Younis, killing three policemen and three civilians, including a girl, and wounding four others.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes.Local health authorities said more than 680 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect in November, underscoring persistent hostilities despite the agreement.

The total death toll in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023 has surpassed 72,000, according to officials in the territory.The latest strikes come as Israel remains engaged in a broader regional conflict, including military operations linked to tensions with Iran and ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Health officials in Gaza say at least 50 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation involving Iran began roughly a month ago.

Violence has continued intermittently across Gaza during the ceasefire period, with no indication of a sustained de-escalation.

Trump told reporters at the White House that U.S. officials were engaged with “the right people” in Iran and suggested Tehran was eager to reach an agreement.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that Washington had transmitted a multi-point proposal aimed at halting the conflict, now in its fourth week following U.S. and Israeli strikes launched on February 28.Iranian authorities denied that direct negotiations were underway.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed reports of talks as “fake news,” underscoring persistent gaps between public positions and diplomatic signals.

According to media reports cited by regional outlets, the U.S. proposal includes provisions for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, ending support for proxy groups, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A month-long ceasefire has also been discussed to facilitate negotiations, though no official confirmation of those terms has been issued by Washington.

Trump said Iran had made a “valuable concession” linked to non-nuclear energy and maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil supply typically flows. He did not provide details.

Iran informed the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that non-hostile vessels could transit the strait if coordinated with Iranian authorities, according to a note seen by Reuters. The waterway has effectively been shut since the outbreak of hostilities, triggering a sharp global energy supply disruption.

Despite diplomatic signals, military activity has continued on all sides. Two sources said the United States is preparing to deploy thousands of troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, adding to approximately 50,000 U.S. personnel already stationed in the region.

The deployment would accelerate a broader military buildup, heightening concerns among analysts and regional actors that the conflict could become prolonged even as negotiations proceed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government was willing to host talks between Washington and Tehran, expressing support for dialogue aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement.

A Pakistani government source said discussions about a potential meeting were at an advanced stage, though no agreement had been finalized.Pakistan maintains longstanding ties with Iran and has recently strengthened engagement with the United States, positioning itself as a potential intermediary.

The latest developments come a day after Trump delayed threatened strikes on Iranian power infrastructure, citing “productive” discussions, while Oman, which has acted as a mediator, previously indicated that progress had been made in earlier negotiations before the outbreak of conflict.

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 Kremlin said Russia is prepared to play a mediating role to reduce tensions and promote dialogue across the Middle East.

The calls come at a sensitive moment as Iran faces widespread unrest following a harsh crackdown on nationwide protests.

International concern has grown after reports of violence arrests and heightened security measures across Iranian cities.

According to the Kremlin Putin outlined ideas aimed at strengthening regional stability during his discussion with Netanyahu.

He emphasized Russia’s willingness to continue mediation efforts involving all relevant regional and international actors.

Russia’s leadership believes diplomatic engagement is essential to avoid further escalation in an already volatile region.

Officials say Moscow views dialogue as the most effective tool to prevent conflict and protect long term regional balance.

In his separate conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Putin addressed developments inside Iran.

The Kremlin said a detailed readout of that call would be released at a later time.

Russia has steadily deepened its relationship with Iran in recent years.

This includes a 20 year strategic partnership agreement signed by Putin and Pezeshkian last year.

Moscow sees Iran as a key regional partner particularly after shifts in Middle Eastern power dynamics.

The loss of Syria as a close ally following political upheaval has heightened Russia’s strategic concerns.

Any serious threat to Iran’s leadership is viewed in Moscow as a destabilizing factor for the region.

Russian officials fear further disruptions could weaken their broader influence in the Middle East.

Tensions have been fueled by recent history between Iran Israel and the United States.

Last year Israeli and US forces struck Iranian nuclear sites escalating already strained relations.

Iran and Israel also fought a brief but intense 12 day conflict that raised fears of wider war.

These developments continue to shape regional security calculations for all major players.

The United States has warned it may intervene if violence linked to Iran’s crackdown continues.

Such statements have increased anxiety across the region and among global powers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is already contributing to regional stability.

He credited Putin’s diplomatic efforts with helping de escalate tensions beyond Iran alone.

Russia maintains that its role is not limited to supporting one country.

Officials argue Moscow is acting in the interest of broader peace and security.

Western nations continue to accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies the allegations and insists its nuclear program is strictly peaceful.

Russia supports Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that diplomacy is the only solution to nuclear disputes.

Putin’s outreach highlights Russia’s intent to remain a central diplomatic actor.

By engaging both Israel and Iran Moscow aims to position itself as a key mediator.

The coming weeks may test whether dialogue can prevent further escalation.

Regional stability now depends heavily on restraint diplomacy and international coordination.

A source close to the affected families revealed to HRANA that authorities “emphasized avoiding any phone or online communication with abroad,” signaling heightened scrutiny in the wake of the recent Israel-Iran conflict.

But Iran’s Jewish community is not the only minority under pressure. Human rights monitors report that Iranian security forces also raided at least 19 homes belonging to members of the Baha’i faith—known to face persistent state persecution—during and after the war with Israel.

Minorities Targeted as Political Tools

Legal and human rights experts argue that these state actions are not based on legitimate security threats, but rather serve as political tools amid external tensions.

Pegah Bani-Hashmi, a senior legal researcher, told Iran International that accusations of espionage against Jewish and Baha’i citizens are “factually baseless and violate Iran’s own constitution.”

“These communities tend to avoid political activism altogether,” Bani-Hashmi said. “There is no credible legal or security basis for these detentions.”

Shahin Milani, director of the Human Rights Documentation Center, emphasized that these arrests reflect the regime’s inability to identify actual threats. “These groups are already under heavy surveillance. Accusing them of spying is a convenient excuse to intimidate and deflect criticism,” he said.

A 2011 Iranian law criminalizes travel to Israel. While many Iranian Jews maintain family and religious ties with Israeli citizens, analysts note that the law is increasingly being wielded as a tool of collective punishment.

Climate of Fear Within Jewish Community

A senior member of Tehran’s Jewish community told HRANA the current wave of interrogations is “unprecedented,” adding that the scope and intensity have caused deep anxiety within the community.

Although no formal charges have been filed, officials claimed the questioning was aimed at “preventing future crimes.” However, rights lawyers warn that the vague justification could constitute religious and ethnic discrimination—a violation of Iran’s obligations under international law.

Independent journalist Rani Omrani said Tehran’s targeting of Jews and Baha’is is a reflection of its inability to retaliate against Israel directly.

“Because the regime can’t strike Israel effectively, it punishes its own Jewish citizens instead,” Omrani said.