Trump: Time is running out for Iran — hell will fall upon them in 48 hours

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Saturday, stating, "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to either reach an agreement or open the Strait of Hormuz? Time is short — in 48 hours, hell will fall upon them. Glory be to God!" Earlier, on the 26th, Trump announced that, "at the request of the Iranian government," he had postponed the planned "destruction" of Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days, extending the deadline to 8 p.m. EDT on April 6.

On Saturday, Iranian forces were searching for a missing American pilot whose aircraft was one of two U.S. planes shot down over Iran and the Persian Gulf. With the conflict entering its sixth week and prospects for peace talks dimming, the situation facing Washington has become increasingly dire.

These developments indicate that despite Trump and U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth's insistence that U.S. forces have full air dominance over Iran, American and Israeli aircraft still face risks while operating over Iranian airspace.

Just days after Trump threatened to blast Iran back into the "Stone Age," the aforementioned American pilot may still be alive and currently hiding somewhere within Iran. The war has already caused thousands of deaths, triggered an energy crisis, and could inflict lasting damage on the global economy.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran’s leadership has maintained a hardline stance. Although Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed, in principle, willingness to pursue peace negotiations with the United States through Pakistan’s mediation, he showed no sign that Tehran was prepared to yield to Trump’s demands.

On Saturday, Araghchi stated via the X platform: "We deeply appreciate Pakistan’s efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about is a thorough and lasting end to this illegal war imposed upon us."

Hostilities continue unabated. Iranian state media reported on Saturday, citing the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, that Iran used drones to attack a ship linked to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze. In effect, Iran has now blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Both sides confirmed that Iran shot down a U.S. twin-seat F-15E fighter jet. Meanwhile, two U.S. officials said an A-10 "Warthog" attack aircraft crashed in Kuwait; the pilot ejected after being hit by Iranian fire and was rescued.

According to Reuters, two U.S. officials noted that two Black Hawk helicopters involved in searching for the missing pilot were struck by Iranian weapons but managed to fly clear of Iranian airspace. The extent of casualties among the crew remains unclear.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed they are searching southwestern regions near the crash site of the missing American pilot, and the provincial governor pledged rewards for anyone who captures or kills "enemy forces."

The IRGC also stated it launched missiles and drones toward multiple locations inside Israel. According to Iran’s national television, the force also attacked a U.S. "HIMARS" rocket launch site in Kuwait and a "Patriot" missile system installation in Bahrain.

In Washington, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Trump is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the political fallout from the war. Following the dismissal of Attorney General Bondi this week, he is considering broader cabinet reshuffling. Any potential personnel changes could mark a significant reorganization at the White House, as the Trump administration faces rising gasoline prices, declining approval ratings, and mounting concerns among Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Iranian state media reported that a petrochemical zone in southwestern Iran suffered aerial attacks, with five people confirmed injured. Tasnim News Agency said a projectile hit a support building near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one person. The operation of the nuclear plant itself remained unaffected.

According to Russian media reports, Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom evacuated 198 employees from its nuclear facility in Beirut on Saturday—arrangements for this evacuation had already been planned prior to the latest incidents.

Meanwhile, Israeli military sources said they had launched a series of airstrikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran. This followed Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon opening fire on Israel in solidarity with Iran, prompting Israel to conduct military operations against Hezbollah forces backed by Iran inside Lebanon. Early Saturday morning, Israel announced strikes targeting facilities belonging to Hezbollah in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1861554646336580/

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