President Donald Trump is holding a news conference Monday in the White House briefing room, where he’s giving more details on the “daring” weekend rescue of a U.S. airman<\/a> whose fighter jet was shot down over Iran.<\/p>\n “We’re\u00a0here today to celebrate the success of one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches, I guess you would call it a search and rescue mission, ever attempted by the military,” Trump said.<\/p>\n Looming large over the president’s comments, however, is his latest deadline for Iran to make a peace deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz — by 8 p.m. ET Tuesday — or face massive U.S. attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy and water facilities.<\/p>\n “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump said.<\/p>\n Trump told ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on Sunday that if no peace deal is reached with Iran in the next 48 hours, “we’re blowing up the entire country.”<\/p>\n Trump has previously pushed his deadlines<\/a> for Iran to comply with his demands.<\/p>\n But in a\u00a0profanity-laced post\u00a0on his social media platform early on Sunday, Trump told the Iranian regime, “you’ll be living in Hell” if it did not open the critical maritime shipping channel for oil and trade.<\/p>\n “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump wrote in the post.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 6, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Daniel Heuer\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Experts have warned that possible attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes and violate international law, a claim Iran makes as well. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when pressed on the issue last week, told reporters: “Of course, this administration and the United States Armed Forces will always act within the confines of the law.”<\/p>\n Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a post on X that if the U.S. attacks power plants, then Iran would deliver “a decisive, immediate, and regret-inducing response.”<\/p>\n Amid the threats of escalation, questions remain about the status of talks between the U.S. and Tehran, after President Trump said last week<\/a> that the U.S. was carrying out negotiations with “much more reasonable” leadership.<\/p>\n Asked about reports of a new draft proposal that includes a 45-day ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a White House official told ABC News on Monday: “This is one of many ideas, and POTUS has not signed off on it. Operation Epic Fury continues.”<\/p>\n When asked about the ceasefire proposal, Trump said earlier Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll that he’s seen “every proposal.”<\/p>\n “It’s a significant step,” Trump said. “It’s not good enough ,but it’s a very significant step.”<\/p>\n Iran said it will not accept a ceasefire without “suitable guarantees,” a Pakistani security official told ABC News.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/071d3c79-4bc8-4344-93d3-b4a55328f8ce\/donald-trump-6-epa-gmh-260406_1775492026908_hpMain.jpg?w=375)
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>