Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: US launches one-way attack drones into Iran
US Central Command wrote on X: "Last night, U.S. forces launched one-way attack drones into Iran during Operation Epic Fury.
CENTCOM made history a month ago when it began using low-cost aerial attack drones in combat for the first time."
"Today, hundreds of U.S. drones are fully integrated into offensive and defensive operations against Iran. These platforms operate in the air, at sea, under the sea and on the ground in support of our military objectives," said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Pope Leo XIV says Trump's threat against Iran 'truly unacceptable'
Pope Leo XIV called the threat to destroy Iranian civilization "truly unacceptable."
He noted that any attacks on civilian infrastructure would violate international law.
The Pope urged Americans and people of good will to contact their political leaders and congressional representatives to reject war and work for peace.
"Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable," he said.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: UN chief appeals for diplomacy, Strait of Hormuz reopening
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said:
"There is no military objective that justifies the wholesale destruction of a society's infrastructure or the deliberate infliction of suffering on civilian populations," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesman said.
The leaders still have the option of 'dialogue over destruction' and that the decision to engage in talks must happen immediately, Dujarric said.
Guterres also urged intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a path to peace and called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, the spokesman added. (AP)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Kuwait orders residents to stay home as precaution
Kuwait's Interior Ministry has asked citizens and residents to stay home and avoid going out from midnight to 6 a.m. on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. (Reuters)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Iran will not 'stand idle' against Trump's 'war crime' threats - UN Envoy
Amir-Saeid Iravani, Tehran's representative at the UN, said:
Trump's threat a "whole civilization will die" if Iran does not make a deal "constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide."
"Iran will not stand idle in the face of such egregious war crimes. It will exercise, without hesitation, its inherent right of self-defense and will take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures," he said.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Democrats demand Congressional session to stop Trump from Middle East escalation
Democrats call Trump "completely unhinged" and demand the House return immediately to legislative session.
Lawmakers condemned Trump's threat to "eradicate an entire civilization," calling it requires a congressional response.
Democrats urged the House to vote to end what they describe as Trump's "reckless war of choice" in the Middle East.
The statement claims Trump's actions could potentially drag the US into World War III.
Democrats called on House Republicans to prioritize patriotic duty over party loyalty and join in stopping Trump's aggressive approach.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: UN effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz blocked by China, Russia
China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, siding with Iran.
The Bahrain-sponsored draft resolution urged countries to coordinate defensive measures to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.
The text was a weakened version of an earlier draft, which could have authorized the use of force to guarantee safe transit.
Vote outcome: 11 countries in favor, 2 abstained, 2 opposed (China and Russia).
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel spoiling talks, says Pakistan FM on Iran-US ceasefire efforts
Pakistan's FM Ishaq Dar accused Israel of trying to sabotage Islamabad's efforts to broker ceasefire talks between the US and Iran by striking Tehran at a time when "both sides were in a stage to sit down."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "Military activity near Iran's Bushehr plant poses a real danger" - WHO Chief
WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X: "I echo the warning from IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi that continued military activity near Iran's Bushehr power plant poses a real danger. Such actions could lead to a severe radiological accident, with serious and long-term health consequences for people now and for generations to come, while also harming the environment across Iran, the region, and beyond. WHO reiterates its call for all parties to rapidly choose a peaceful path out of this escalating conflict to protect public health and prevent a human and environmental catastrophe."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: American journalist Shelly Kittleson freed by Iran-backed Iraqi militia
American journalist Shelly Kittleson, kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been freed.
AP said an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed her release Tuesday afternoon; he spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: White House Press Secretary Leavitt says only Trump knows his next move
In response to reports that Iran has cut off all communications with the United States, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told ANI: "The Iranian regime has until 8 PM Eastern Time to meet the moment and make a deal with the United States. Only the President knows where things stand and what he will do."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel says it targeted senior Iranian commander in Tehran
Israeli military says it targeted senior commander in Iran's top joint military command, results of attack under review (Reuters)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Iran calls its civilization a "sturdy tree that always stands"
Responding to Trump saying "a civilization will die tonight," Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian mission in Cairo, told The Associated Press:
"Therefore, no fool would cut off the branch of a tree he is sitting on because he himself would fall first, and it is the sturdy tree that always stands, not the branches and appendages that have grown from it,"
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel on standby for strikes as Trump's 8 p.m. Iran deadline looms - Report
Israeli military on standby to strike Iran ahead of Trump's 8 p.m. ET deadline, CNN cites a source a saying.
Israeli source confirms plans for a coordinated US-Israel operation ready, pending Trump's approval.
Trump threatened destruction of Iran's power plants and civilian infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Iranian media says US bombing on Kharg island causes minimal damage
Iranian assessments indicate, as per state-affiliated media Mehr News Agency which cited local sources, most of Kharg Island's infrastructure remained intact after US strikes.
Mehr News Agency noted that maritime infrastructure suffered minimal damage.
Operations on the island are reported to be continuing as normal despite the bombing.
The assessment suggests the US strikes did not significantly disrupt Iran's critical oil export capabilities.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: UN human rights chief calls threats to attack civilian infrastructure "sickening"
UN Human Rights chief denounces "tirade of incendiary rhetoric" by all parties in the Middle East conflict.
-Criticizes threats including attempts to "annihilate a whole civilisation" and attacks on civilian infrastructure as "sickening."
He says "Threats that spread fear and terror among civilians are unacceptable and must cease immediately."
-Reminds that under international law, "deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime."
-Urges the international community to act to "de-escalate the situation and help protect civilian lives." (CNN)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel issues alert to ships off Lebanese coast
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson to the Arab media, Avichay Adraee, wrote on X:
"Urgent Warning to All Naval Vessels in the Maritime Area Between Tyre and Ras al-Naqoura
Hezbollah's activities expose naval vessels in the maritime area between Tyre and Ras al-Naqoura to danger, which compels the Defense Army to take action against it in the maritime domain.
To ensure your safety, all anchored or sailing naval vessels in the specified maritime area shown on the navigation map must immediately proceed north of the Tyre area."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Trump confirms "8 p.m. is happening" if deadline is not met
US resident Donald Trump told Fox News that the US is prepared to carry out heavy strikes against Iran if his 8 p.m. deadline is not met Tuesday.
During a phone interview with Bret Baier, Trump promised, "8 p.m. is happening."
On likelihood of a negotiated deal: Baier recounted, "I said, listen, if you were to put odds on it, what were the odds that this is going to end up being a negotiated deal? He said he wasn't going to put odds on it. But he said, 8 p.m. Is happening. That's what he said."
Trump reportedly said, "If we get to that point, there is going to be an attack like they have not seen. Now he's sticking to that at this point."
Trump indicated that if "negotiations move forward today and there is something concrete, that could change."
Baier added, "But at this hour, he didn't want to put odds on it. But he said it is moving forward with the plans that we have. That's a huge deal."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: UN says "Even wars have rules" as Trump threatens strikes on Iran's power plants
United Nations says on X: "Even wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions protect civilians in conflict and help ensure assistance reaches those in need, without discrimination."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "It's a big problem for the world" - Rubio on Iran's attacks on Strait of Hormuz
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at the State Department: "The whole world has been impacted, unfortunately, because Iran is violating every law known by striking commercials vessels in the Straits of Hormuz."
"It's a big problem for the world. I mean, this is a regime that doesn't believe in laws and rules or anything like that. It's a state sponsor of terrorism so it is not surprising that they're now conducting terrorist operations against commercial vessels."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "We are crushing the regime" - Netanyahu defends strikes on train tracks and bridges in Iran
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office wrote on x:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigor, and with increasing force. Yesterday, we destroyed transport planes and dozens of helicopters. Today, we attacked the train tracks and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards."
And this is the central point: These actions, which I approved together with the Minister of Defense, are not intended to attack the Iranian people. On the contrary, they are intended to weaken and crush the terrorist regime that has oppressed them for 47 years.
This is no longer the same Iran, nor is it the same Israel. We are changing the balance of power from one end to the other."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Canada PM Carney urges US not to target Iran's civilian infrastructure
Canada's prime minister in Toronto said:
"Canada expects all parties in this conflict to respect international laws, the rules of engagement, and that means not targeting certainly civilians or civilian infrastructure,"
"And we urge all parties in this war to follow those responsibilities."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: IRGC-linked militia threatens strike on Red Sea port of Yanbu
Iraqi militia linked to IRGC issues warning on Telegram, threatens to target Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port, says its strike would "plunge the world into an energy war".
Iraqi militia's warning is tied to Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iran. (Bloomberg)
Yanbu is a key Red Sea oil export terminal.
Saudi Arabia uses Yanbu to bypass Strait of Hormuz blockade. The terminal exports nearly 5 million barrels of oil per day
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Iranians form human chains to guard power plants - IRGC-linked media
Tasnim News Agency, associated with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), says "Iranians have formed human chains around critical infrastructure, including the Kazerun Combined Cycle Power Plant, in a defiant show of unity to protect the nation's energy facilities from US terror strikes."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Kuwait army says it intercepted 17 drone incursions in last 24 hours
Kuwait army wrote on X: "The Armed Forces monitored and dealt with (17) hostile drones within Kuwaiti airspace during the past (24) hours, and they were handled in accordance with established procedures, without resulting in any material damage or human injuries, praise be to God."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "Alexander burned it… Iran is still here" - Iran Embassy in Turkiye hits back at Trump's threats
Iran Embassy in Turkiye responds to US President Donald Trump's 'whole civilization will die tonight'
Iran Embassy in Turkiye wrote on X: "Alexander burned it. The Mongols ravaged it. History tested it. #Iran is still here. A psychopath's threats won't end what time couldn't."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: White House hits back at nuclear strike claims
The White House rejected claims that Vice President JD Vance had suggested the possibility of a US nuclear strike against Iran, amid heightened tensions over President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Tehran.
The clarification came after Vance said US forces have tools they "so far haven't decided to use" in enforcing Washington's demands.
Responding to the speculation, the White House issued a blunt denial on X, stating: "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." (AFP)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Pak PM briefs Saudi Crown Prince on mediation push to ease Middle East crisis
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reaffirms "unwavering solidarity" with Saudi Arabia, condemns strike on Saudi oil facility, praises Saudi restraint amid rising tensions.
Sharif briefs MBS on Pakistan's mediation role in Middle East crisis, says Saudi Crown Prince appreciates Pakistan's peace initiatives (AP)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel military says it hit eight 'bridge segments' in Iran - Military
Israel military says it struck eight "bridge segments" in Iran
Claims bridges were used by Iranian forces "to transport weapons and military equipment"
Targets located in Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, Kashan, and Qom
Details follow confirmation by PM Netanyahu
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Indians in Iran told to stay indoors as Trump's deadline looms
Ministry of External Affairs advisory to Indians in Iran amid rapidly evolving situation:
Indian nationals advised to stay put and shelter in place
MEA urges Indians to avoid unnecessary movement within Iran
-Urges travel to border crossings only with Indian Embassy's approval, says movement must be in close coordination with Embassy in Tehran
Embassy available for assistance via emergency helplines
Contact numbers: +98 912 810 9115, +98 912 810 9102, +98 912 810 9109, +98 993 217 9359
Email support: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Iran responds to Trump's 'whole civilization will die tonight'
Embassy of Iran in Pakistan responds to US President Trump's 'whole civilization will die tonight': "You don't know how civilizations work because Never had one. They are not born over a night and will not die over a night."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Netanyahu says Israel struck bridges, railways in Iran
In a statement released by his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Israeli warplanes struck bridges and railways in Iran.
Netanyahu claims IRGC used routes for weapons transport - "to transport materials to make weapons"
He emphasises focus on state targets - "They weren't meant to target Iranian civilians but the government."
He says - "This is no longer the same Iran, nor is it the same Israel."
Declares change in regional balance - "We are changing the balance of power from one end to the other." (AP)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Pakistan warns Iranian attacks on Saudi risk peace efforts
Pakistan military backs government efforts to end Middle East conflict, urges restraint and dialogue amid rising tensions, warns attacks on Saudi Arabia could undermine diplomatic efforts.
Remarks were made during top commanders' meeting led by Asim Munir.
Pakistan military condemns strikes on Saudi petrochemical and industrial facilities, calls attacks an "unnecessary escalation", says violence could derail "sincere efforts" for peaceful resolution, praises Saudi Arabia's restraint "despite grave provocations". (AP)
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: US hits previously struck targets on Kharg Island - oil sites spared
US official confirms to AP about overnight strikes on Kharg Island, says targets were previously struck military sites, clarifies strikes were not aimed at oil infrastructure.
No details provided on specific targets hit.
Earlier assessment based on satellite analysis by ISW and AEI's Critical Threats Project said strikes hit air defenses, radar site, airport, and hovercraft base
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "War will end very shortly" - JD Vance says outcome up to Iran
Vance remarks made during Hungary visit:
JD Vance signals war could end soon - "very shortly", says outcome depends on Tehran - "the nature of the conclusion is ultimately up to the Iranians"
Vance highlights ongoing talks - focus on "what does this look like afterwards?"
He confirms urgency of timeline - "The president has set a deadline for about 12 hours from now"
Vance indicates active diplomacy - "there's going to be a lot of negotiation between now and then"
He strikes optimistic tone - "I'm hopeful that it gets to a good resolution"
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Amid threats, Trump says: "God bless the Great People of Iran"
Despite the threats, Trump ended his Truth Social post with a direct message to Iranians: "47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!"
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Trump claims "complete and total regime change" in Iran
Trump wrote on Truth Social:
"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?"
However, no independent confirmation has emerged to support claims of any leadership change in Tehran.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "I believe we've done so" - US acknowledges Kharg Island strike
US vice president JD Vance seems to confirms US strikes on Kharg Island. He said in Budapest: it is "my understanding ... that we were to strike some military targets on Kharg Island. I believe we've done so."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: "We'll get an answer by 8" - Vance signals crunch hour for Iran
US vice president JD Vance urges caution - "I hope they're smart", says US has already "defeated Iran militarily".
Vance accuses Iran of weaponising economy - "trying to exact as much economic pain on the world as possible" by keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Vance warns "has the ability to extract much greater economic cost on Iran", claims Iran cannot match US pressure - "than Iran has an ability to extract cost on us or on our friends".
Vance says, "We feel confident that we can get a response… by 8 o'clock tonight".
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: What is the significance of Kharg Island
Kharg Island is central to Iran's oil export infrastructure, making it a critical economic and military target.
Earlier in the war, US strikes reportedly hit air defenses, radar systems, an airport, and a hovercraft base, according to satellite analysis by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Military targets hit on Kharg Island
The official cited by AP said US forces struck military installations on the island, a key hub for Iran's oil exports.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: US strikes Kharg Island ahead of Trump deadline
The United States carried out fresh strikes on Iran's Kharg Island on Tuesday, targeting military positions just hours before President Donald Trump's deadline for Tehran to comply with US demands.
The development was confirmed by a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity, according to AP.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Israel condemns Istanbul consulate attack - "Terror will not deter us"
Israel condemns terrorist attack on its Consulate in Istanbul, praises Turkish security forces for swift response, says attack was successfully thwarted, notes multiple past terror attempts on diplomatic posts, asserts "terror will not deter us" stance.
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Trump says Iran still has time ahead of deadline
Despite the threats to Iran that a 'whole civilization will die tonight', Trump suggested a potential positive outcome, writing on Truth Social: "However, 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? We will find out tonight - one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World."
Trump deadline for Iran countdown live updates: Trump issues dire ultimatum to Iran - a 'whole civilization will die tonight'
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Truth Social, saying: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will."
He set a hard deadline of 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday (midnight GMT, 3:30 a.m. Tehran) for Iran to comply with U.S. demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, or face severe consequences.