Trump on Iran: “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow”

President Donald Trump shared an update on the rescue missions involving the two U.S. service members who were aboard the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran.

In his opening remarks, Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran. “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night ​might be tomorrow night,” the president said. He also set Tuesday as the deadline for the Iranian government to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that otherwise he would order attacks on the country’s power plants.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the difficulty of the rescue operation. Trump also threatened to jail whoever was responsible for the initial leaks about the disappearance of an Air Force officer in Iran after the aircraft was brought down.

“It became a much more difficult operation because a leaker leaked that we have one,” Trump said about the rescue effort involving the two crew members whose aircraft was shot down over Iran. “We’re looking very hard to find that leaker... The person that did the story will go to jail if he doesn’t say,” he added.

The ceasefire proposal Iran rejected

In recent hours, reports circulated about a proposed 45-day ceasefire with Iran. President Trump described it as a “significant step,” but said it was not enough. He also stated that he is the only person who can determine whether there will be a ceasefire in the war with Iran.

Trump’s remarks came after Iran rejected the proposal. The Iranian government argued that a pause in the fighting would give its adversaries time to prepare for further attacks, and instead called for a permanent end to the war.

President Trump also said that, if the decision were his alone, he would seize Iran’s oil. “If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil, because it’s there for the taking. There’s not a thing they can do about it,” the president told reporters at the White House.

“Unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home. If we’re up to me, I’d take the oil, I’d keep the oil, and we’d make plenty of money. And I’d also take care of the people of Iran, much better than they’ve been taken care of,” he added.

Trump says the Iranian people are “willing to suffer”

The president was asked whether attacking infrastructure inside Iran would amount to punishing civilians. Trump said that the Iranian people would be “willing to suffer” because “they want freedom for Iran.”

Trump said that the U.S. has intercepted numerous calls of people saying, “Please, keep bombing,” even when the bombs are falling near their homes. “They want us to keep bombing, even if it jeopardizes [them] because their life is in much greater danger [from the regime],” he added.

Trump’s ultimatum

Over the weekend, President Trump said Tuesday would be the final day for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If it does not, the Republican president said he would order strikes on Iranian power plants.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” the president posted on Truth Social on Sunday morning.

In a call with Rachel Scott, an ABC News correspondent, Trump warned that if no agreement is reached, he will destroy Iran. “If happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, we’re blowing up the whole country,” the Republican said. President Trump also stated that he does not believe U.S. ground troops are necessary for now, though he said he is not ruling out that option.

On April 1, during an address to the nation, Trump had already warned that if no agreement were reached, the United States would strike all of Iran’s power plants “very hard” and “probably simultaneously.” At the time, he estimated that the conflict could end within two or three weeks.

During Monday’s press conference, the U.S. president said Iran is an “active, willing participant” in negotiations to end the war. However, he insisted that if there is no agreement on the Strait of Hormuz by the deadline, no power plant or bridge in Iran will be left standing.

“Every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night… every power plant… it’ll happen over a period of four hours,” Trump said, noting that the deadline for reaching an agreement is 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The president also said that if Iran reaches a deal now, it will take the country 20 years to rebuild, but if it does not and the United States attacks its power plants, it will take 100 years.