U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, threatening to attack its power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday. The escalating tensions have left residents in Tehran bracing for potential airstrikes and preparing for possible disruptions to their daily lives.
Key Takeaways
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran, threatening to bomb its power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday. Residents in Tehran are bracing for possible airstrikes amid escalating tensions.
- Trump's ultimatum includes threats to attack Iranian infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened
- Residents in Tehran are preparing for potential power outages and other disruptions
- Iran has dismissed Trump's threats as 'stupid' and mocked his rhetoric on social media
- Democratic lawmakers have questioned Trump's mental fitness, with some calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked
According to PBS, Zahra Arghavan and Mehdi Alishir, a couple living in Tehran, have taken precautions such as securing their windows and packing essentials in case they need to leave quickly. They expressed uncertainty about how long power outages might last if plants are bombed and how they would navigate the city if bridges are targeted.
The ultimatum comes amid ongoing internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian government, which have severely impacted businesses like Arghavan's language school. The couple blames Israel and the U.S. for starting the war and hopes for a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.
Trump's threats have drawn widespread criticism and mockery from both domestic and international sources. According to HuffPost, late-night host Stephen Colbert mocked Trump's profanity-laden post on Easter Sunday, noting that it is rare for a network to bleep the words of a sitting president. Colbert also highlighted Trump's ever-shifting deadlines for Iran to open the strait.
The war has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 13 U.S. service members and more than 2,000 Iranians killed, according to HuffPost. The conflict threatens to trigger a global energy crisis as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes, remains effectively closed.
Iranian diplomatic missions worldwide have responded to Trump's threats with satire and mockery. According to Al Jazeera, embassies from London to Pretoria shared humorous posts on social media, questioning Trump's mental acuity and fitness for office. Some missions even referenced the 25th Amendment, suggesting that U.S. officials should consider removing Trump from power.
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