The clock is ticking on President Donald Trump’s threat to wipe out much of Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the country doesn’t strike a deal by Tuesday evening in the US.
However, Trump has backed himself into a corner with threats that the US military can’t feasibly carry out in one fell swoop, military experts and analysts warn. A new round of attacks, regardless of their scale, is unlikely to force the Iranian regime to swiftly agree to a ceasefire.
Trump vowed on Monday to destroy 'every bridge' and power station in Iran in just four hours, escalating his warnings on Tuesday morning that 'a whole civilization will die' if Iran does not arrive at an agreement by his deadline.
Taken together, these warnings represent an unprecedented threat from a sitting US president, with experts suggesting that targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime. Discussions also highlight the potential for calling Trump’s rhetoric as inciting genocide, a notion he dismissed during a Monday press conference.
Military analysts clarify that while a major strike on Iran’s power sector could be possible, the ambitious claim to incapacitate every bridge in a country one-third the size of the continental US within a matter of hours is logistically unfeasible. Experts express doubt about whether an extensive attack would compel the Iranian government to negotiate.
Former officials and analysts articulate a sense of skepticism regarding the effectiveness of escalated military threats. A striking number of civilian infrastructure targets, such as bridges and power facilities, which have already seen previous airstrikes, could significantly impact Iran’s economy but might not provoke the desired change in political stance.
Amid heightened tensions, Pakistan's Prime Minister has intervened, urging Trump to consider extending his ultimatum by two weeks to foster diplomatic engagements. This call for a moratorium on military threats symbolizes the potential for dialogue amidst conflict. Meanwhile, Vice-President JD Vance confirmed that airstrikes against military targets on Kharg Island have already occurred, raising questions about the US's long-term strategy and its impacts on negotiating power in the near future.
Discussions continue within political circles on both sides, underscoring the precarious balance between military action and diplomatic relations, as the countdown to Trump’s ultimatum persists.
