Iran war updates: Strait deadline looms, Iran rejects US demands ahead of 8PM ET

WASHINGTON: Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Monday as a looming Strait of Hormuz deadline approaches, with Iranian leadership rejecting US demands and refusing to reopen the strategic waterway.

US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, warned that “the whole of Iranian civilization will die tonight” if Tehran does not comply. He described the situation as a historic moment, saying, “Tonight, the world will witness one of the most important moments in history. Now that we have complete and total regime change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, who knows?” Trump emphasized that Iran has until 8 PM EST Tuesday to act, warning that failure to comply could result in the “entire country being taken out in one night.”

US Vice President JD Vance underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that Washington has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” against Iran. Speaking from Hungary, Vance said the US had largely achieved its military objectives, but further escalation would depend on whether Iran responds before the deadline.

Meanwhile, Iranian military activity continued amid the standoff. Iranian media reported explosions on Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal, with multiple strikes targeting military and infrastructure assets. Although reports could not be independently verified, US officials cited by Axios confirmed strikes on Iranian military targets in the region.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defences intercepted one ballistic missile and 11 drones launched from Iran. UAE authorities reported that their systems had engaged hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones since the start of the attacks, with no casualties in the most recent incidents.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it could expand retaliatory strikes beyond the region if the US crossed “red lines.” The IRGC stated that it had so far exercised restraint, but that “all reservations have since been removed” and threatened to target infrastructure to deprive the US and its allies of oil and gas if conflict escalates.

Iranian authorities have insisted that US proposals ignore Tehran’s core concerns. They emphasised that negotiations cannot move forward until demands are met, including a permanent cessation of hostilities, lifting of sanctions, and compensation for damages from prior US-Israel strikes that began on February 28.

As the Strait of Hormuz deadline nears, both sides remain on high alert, with the world watching whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation or if the standoff will spiral into a wider conflict.