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Escalating tensions and strike reports on Kharg Island

Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point as reported airstrikes hit Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum expiring at 8:00 p.m. Washington time (03:00 a.m. Greek time, Wednesday), demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatened that if Iran does not comply, he will destroy critical Iranian energy and transport infrastructure, potentially returning the country to a pre-industrial state. Tehran has officially rejected calls for a temporary truce, instead demanding a permanent end to hostilities and the lifting of economic sanctions. Iranian officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have warned of retaliatory actions against U.S. and allied interests, including the potential cutoff of regional energy supplies. While international mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are working to negotiate an extension or a peace agreement, a Pentagon source indicated that the U.S. stance remains rigid. The conflict, which began on February 28, has resulted in thousands of casualties, with reports of continuous airstrikes across Iran targeting defensive and energy installations.

Original Sources

Trump urges Iran to make a deal before it’s too late
Sigmalive English · 3 April 2026, 09:40