Trump Escalates Threats Against Iran, Warns Nation Could Be ‘Taken Out in One Night’ as Tuesday Deadline Approaches

Washington — 4/6/2026 - President Donald Trump issued one of his starkest warnings yet to Iran on Monday, declaring that the “entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night” if Tehran fails to meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump reiterated his ultimatum, tying it to Iran’s continued closure or severe restriction of the critical waterway, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. He has demanded Tehran reopen the strait by 8 p.m. Tuesday or face expanded U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing the speed and scale of potential American military action. The comments come amid a six-week-old U.S.-Iran conflict that has already seen airstrikes, missile exchanges, and the downing of U.S. aircraft.

Trump’s remarks build on an earlier expletive-laden social media post in which he threatened to turn Tuesday into “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one” if the strait remained blocked. He has framed the deadline as non-negotiable, warning Iran it would be “living in Hell” without compliance.

Iran has rejected the demands, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating the strait “will never return to its former state” and dismissing temporary ceasefires. Tehran has countered with its own conditions, including sanctions relief, while continuing limited missile and drone attacks on U.S. and allied targets in the region.

The escalation follows recent U.S. rescue operations for downed American pilots and ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza linked to the broader conflict. Humanitarian concerns are mounting, with over a million displaced in Lebanon and international calls for de-escalation, including from religious leaders.

Markets Bet Against Quick Resolution

Prediction markets are pricing in a high likelihood that Trump will follow through on his threats of major escalation rather than see a rapid de-escalation.On Polymarket, the world’s largest prediction platform, traders assign just 3% odds to a U.S.-Iran ceasefire by April 7 (tomorrow) and only 15% by April 15. The probability of a ceasefire by April 30 sits at 29%. Similarly, the chance that Trump announces an end to U.S. military operations against Iran by April 15 is priced at 15%, rising modestly to 33% by April 30.

These figures reflect broad market skepticism that Iran will meet Trump’s demands in time, implying a strong expectation of continued or intensified U.S. action—including the kind of widespread strikes the president has described as capable of “decimating” Iranian infrastructure overnight.Longer-term markets show elevated tensions as well: odds of a U.S. invasion of Iran this year have hovered around 57-63% in recent days, according to platform data.

White House officials have not detailed specific strike plans beyond Trump’s public statements, but the president described the situation as a “critical period” dependent on Iran’s next moves. Markets, traders, and allies are watching the hours ahead closely as the Tuesday deadline looms.

17GEN4.com