Trump issues fresh threat to Iran: “The entire country could be taken out in one night”

US President Donald Trump raised tensions even further during a White House press conference, using both the ongoing rescue mission in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz standoff to deliver a new wave of threats. Trump said Iran’s people would be willing to endure suffering for freedom, repeated that energy and transport infrastructure remained potential targets, and warned that the entire country could be wiped out in one night if Tehran refused to bend.

Trump: They would suffer for their freedom

Asked whether attacking Iran’s infrastructure and cutting power would punish ordinary people for the actions of the regime, Trump defended the idea and claimed Iranians would accept that cost.

“They would be willing to suffer that for their freedom,” Trump said.

He also claimed that Iranians want US strikes to continue and said they “want freedom.”

“The entire country can be taken out in one night”

Trump made his most dramatic threat when he referred again to the deadline he has set over the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran could face overwhelming destruction if it failed to act.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump said.

The remark came as he renewed pressure on Tehran to reopen the strategic waterway.

Rescue mission took nearly 48 hours

Trump also devoted much of the press conference to describing the rescue of the second US airman from the downed F-15 crew in Iran. He called the operation historic and said the injured officer had survived deep behind enemy lines in mountainous terrain while being hunted.

According to Trump, the second airman remained hidden for nearly 48 hours before being recovered.

Leak made the operation harder

Trump said the rescue effort became more dangerous after information about the first recovered service member was leaked before the second one had been brought to safety. He argued that Iran did not know a second American was still missing until that information became public.

He said the leak made the mission significantly harder and vowed that the administration would try to find the source.

Pentagon and CIA detailed the operation

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the two rescue missions required constant coordination and described the first one as a bold daylight operation launched less than two hours after the location of the first service member was confirmed.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the search for the second airman involved both human intelligence and advanced technology. He added that deception tactics were used to confuse Iranian forces searching for the stranded officer.

Pressure on Iran remains

Despite again suggesting that a deal with Iran is still possible, Trump made clear that expanded strikes remain an option. His remarks showed that Washington is continuing to combine military pressure, public threats and negotiation signals as the deadline over the Strait of Hormuz approaches.

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