Trump threatens Iran with total destruction: In one night...

Trump warned that Iran could be “destroyed overnight”.

Speaking April 6th at a White House media conference, together with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Staff Chairman Dan Caine, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Trump described the moment as a crucial point in a conflict rapidly escalating.

“The whole country could be destroyed in one night and that night could be tomorrow”, Trump said, recalling the 7 April deadline he set for Iran to meet US requirements.

This is a critical period. They have until tomorrow, at 8:18x1>, Trump said.

Tehran gave a few signs of setback.

Earlier in the day, Iranian officials rejected a 15-point ceasefire proposal from Washington, while fighting Israel intensified overnight.

Trump said he couldn't discuss the proposal, but stressed that Washington has “an active and ready turnout on the other side” of the negotiations.

Asked whether he is concerned that the bombing of thermal power plants and bridges would be seen as a war crime, Trump said: “No. I hope I don't have to do it”.

The so-called Joint Military Command of Iran -- the body that co-ordinates operations between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular army -- described the US president's comments as “harsh and arrogant”, the Media Nour News reported, citing a statement of this command.

The Trump Conference began with what he described as a highly historic “mission, rescue”: the extraction of two American soldiers, whose F-15 fighter plane crashed over Iran's territory.

According to Trump and his military leadership, the operation included a massive engagement of over 150 aircraft including bombers, fighter jets, fuel supply tanks and rescue units operating under enemy fire.

We don't leave any Americans behind. We could have ended up with 100 dead”, he said.

One of the crashed, heavily wounded pilots survived nearly 48 hours behind enemy lines, avoiding capture on the ground controlled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Trump showed how the pilot “climbed the rocks, quite bloody”, while treating his own wounds and also broadcast his location.

General Caine indicated that rescue operation was covered by a “armad air”, while Ratcliffe added that the mission made a “misleading” to confuse Iranian forces following the pilot.

“was the race against time”, Ratcliffe said, noting the use of both human intelligence and advanced monitoring technologies.

Military analysts say the operation isolates itself for its complexity.

Speaking of Radio Free Europe, retired US Air Force General David A. Deptula, describes it as a rare combat rescue and very dynamic.

This included a remote recovery operation within Iranian hostile territory, the uncertain location of the survivors, the pursuit of enemy, mountainous terrain and real-time adaptation with attacks”, he says.

According to him, such missions require co-ordination between intelligence, air power and communications, while signaling both US capacity and continued operating risks over Iran.

During the White House conference, Trump found that not all military officials backed the rescue mission, some expressed concerns about the risk of sending hundreds of soldiers to Iranian territory, which continues to be highly protected.

“Thus does not... Hundreds of people could have been killed”, Trump said.

Despite these objections, he said he personally approved the operation, describing the result without victims as almost impossible”.

Ultimatium and escalation

Trump's warning focuses on Iran's control of Hormuz Strait a key point for global oil shipments.

According to him, even limited navigation disruptions, such as by naval mine removal, can paralyse international shipping.

While saying US forces have largely neutralised Iran's sea and air forces, Trump acknowledged there are threats.

“Only one terrorist with a truck and a water mine”, Trump said, noting sea traffic vulnerability.

Despite severe rhetoric, Trump added that negotiations are continuing <x0 trust”.

“They would like to make deal”, he said, but did not elaborate.

Referring to surveillance communications, Trump reiterated that many Iranians support US attacks as “a path to freedom”.

They're saying, "Please continue shelling”," Trump said, adding that civilians are willing to face difficulties to bring down the regime.

At the same time, he also acknowledged the dangers Iranian protesters face, recalling the strikes of security forces against them.

I'm actually telling them not to come out. It's not a matter of bravery. It's intelligence”, Trump said, citing executions and oppressions including the killing of protesters and dissidents to justify his harsh stand against Tehran.

Trump also used the conference to threaten a journalist who reported details to the crashed pilot before the rescue mission was completed.

We'll say: National security: Surrender or go to prison”, Trump said, referring to the source of the leak.

He argued that publishing information could have warned Iranian forces and complicated the operation, but did not mention the name of the media involved.

These developments come as the conflict continues to escalate throughout the region.

Israel announced it has hit key Iranian targets overnight, including energy infrastructure, while Iran, in response, launched new attacks.

Iranian state media reported April 6th that at least 19 people lost their lives and 20 were injured by American and Israeli air strikes near Tehran.