Trump Threatens Iran Could Be 'Taken Out in One Night,' Sets Deadline for Compliance

President Trump issued an explicit threat that Iran could be 'taken out in one night' and set a deadline of 8 PM ET on April 7 for Iranian authorities to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that 'every power plant and bridge in the country would be left burning, exploding, and never to be used again' if Iran failed to comply. At a White House press conference on April 7, Trump escalated further, stating 'that night might be tomorrow night' and threatening to make Tuesday 'Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one.' The threats, which Trump posted on Truth Social with profanity, were characterized by Congressional Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Chris Murphy as potential war crimes targeting civilian infrastructure. Amnesty International issued a statement calling for urgent global action to prevent atrocity crimes, noting the threats constituted 'apocalyptic threats of large-scale civilian devastation' and violated the Geneva Conventions' protections fo...

"The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night" — Statement made at White House press conference on April 7, 2026, escalating earlier social media threats about destroying Iranian civilian infrastructure