US Intensifies Iran Infrastructure Strikes as Trump Sets Strait Deadline

Trump set a profane deadline for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen by 8 p.m. ET on April 4, or the US would strike power plants and infrastructure.

Iran rejected the deadline outright and renewed its strait closure five minutes after Trump's tweet.

ABC News

Trump was emboldened by the successful U.S. rescue of an American airman in Iran.

The US announced a 60-hour strike campaign targeting IRGC installations and Iran’s military and energy infrastructure.

CENTCOM confirmed strikes against over 200 targets.

Al Jazeera

Trump was now publicly threatening civilian infrastructure across the country he still insists he is not looking to overthrow.

The Guardian reported a particularly deadly attack leveled Iran’s oldest artificial lake, Qarun, killing scores beyond official tallies.

Widespread destruction uprooted civilians even in Tehran.

Trump’s rhetoric pushed the war conversation in a decidedly bellicose direction.

Brent crude surged to $88 a barrel after the strike announcement.

The Omani Foreign Minister said new talks were planned.

Al-Jazeera Net

The IEA urged all parties to protect energy infrastructure and ensure the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Compliance with the strait opening demand remained elusive.

Iran's Foreign Minister emphasized this war is not our war nor America's war.

Al-Jazeera Net

The war's toll of death and destruction continued to rise even as media focused on political maneuvering.