Trump deadline for Iran ticks closer as Islamic republic rejects temporary ceasefire

As President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz looms, gas prices are continuing to climb nationwide as the conflict drives up crude oil costs.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy choke points. Trump gave Tehran until 8 p.m. ET to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make a deal with the U.S. or face strikes on critical infrastructure.

The national average now stands at $4.13 per gallon, up about 89 cents from a month ago, according to AAA. Costs are climbing across nearly every region, with some states already well above the U.S. average.

Diesel has climbed to $5.64, up about $1.13 over the past month. As a key fuel for freight, shipping and public transportation, it is especially sensitive to supply disruptions.

Use the interactive map here to explore gas prices across the country.

Fox News' Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump issued a fresh ultimatum to Iran on Tuesday, demanding that all vessels be allowed to transit through the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on critical infrastructure. The warning comes after weeks of escalating threats and missed deadlines.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "We will find out tonight — one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world," he added, referencing his 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire and reopen the strait.

Trump's warning sharply raises the stakes in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital artery for the global energy supply, where disruptions have sent oil and gas prices surging worldwide.

The latest threat builds on a pattern of deadlines Trump has imposed on Tehran over the strait. Here is a timeline of those demands:

March 21

In a Truth Social post, Trump declared that if Iran did not "FULLY OPEN" the strait within 48 hours, the United States would "obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!"

Ali Mousavi, Iran’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization, responded by saying that the Strait of Hormuz was "open to everyone" except Tehran's enemies. Meanwhile, other Iranian officials warned that attacks on energy infrastructure would amount to an attack on the Iranian people and would be met with retaliation.

March 23

Two days later, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that the U.S. had had "productive" conversations with Iran and that he had ordered the Pentagon to delay any strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.

Iranian officials publicly denied that any talks were taking place.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Amanda Macias.

This is an excerpt from an opinion article by Goli Ameri, who was born in Iran and served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and U.S. Representative to the UN General Assembly and UN Commission on Human Rights.

The strategy of the United States toward the Islamic Republic has crossed a threshold that marks the definitive end of a half-century of Western hesitation.

In a landmark White House news conference, the President — flanked by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth — dismantled the long-standing policy of "managed stability" in favor of a strategy aimed at the regime’s structural collapse. By confirming the systematic dismantling of the clerical security apparatus, highlighted by the death of IRGC Intelligence Chief Majid Khademi in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike, and signaling an end to the regime’s unhindered control over strategic corridors like the Strait of Hormuz, the administration has moved past the failed diplomatic cycles of 1979 and 2009.

While mediators may continue to offer the 'off-ramp' of short-term ceasefires, history warns us that for the mullahs, such deals are never a bridge to peace. They are a tactical survival mechanism designed to shield a nuclear breakout. As this new era of clarity unfolds, the lesson remains: leaving any part of this clerical structure in power, even in a state of 'negotiated' weakness, is not a resolution — it is merely a stay of execution."

We must confront the reality that the regime precipitated this crisis as a calculated breakout strategy. According to March 2026 intelligence assessments, the leadership manufactured regional chaos to serve as a shield for their final sprint toward a bomb. The latest IAEA reports are chilling: the regime possesses over 450kg of 60% enriched uranium — enough for nine to eleven nuclear weapons — with a breakout time now measured in days. For a clerical elite that views a nuclear weapon as their only ticket to longevity, military strikes on infrastructure are only a temporary fix if the regime's core remains intact. If any part of this structure is left in power, they will find a way to rebuild the weapon.

Vice President JD Vance said that Iran has "two pathways" it can take regarding the conclusion of the war as President Donald Trump’s 12-hour deadline is looming Tuesday for the regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants and bridges. 

Vance, speaking in Hungary, also said he is praying that the United States is on "God’s side" in its pursuit to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 

"There are two pathways that this thing is ultimately going to end. First of all, the United States has largely accomplished its military objectives," Vance said. "There are still some things that we'd like to do, for example, on Iranian ability to manufacture weapons, that we'd like to do a little bit more work on militarily. But fundamentally, the military objectives of the United States have been completed." 

"I think there really are two pathways, and I'm oversimplifying this a little bit, but I think pathway one is where the Iranians decide they're going to be a normal country. They're not going to fund terrorism anymore. They're going to be part of the world system of commerce and exchange," Vance continued. "And that's going to mean much better things for them economically. It's going to mean better things for the peace and safety of the world. It's going to mean a lot of good things for a lot of people all over the planet. That's option A." 

"Option B is that the Iranians don't come to the table and they stay committed to terrorism, to terrorizing their neighbors, not just Israel but of course their Arab neighbors too. Then the economic situation in Iran is going to continue to be very, very bad. And frankly, it will probably get worse," the vice president said. 

"The president also has been very clear that while the Iranians are trying to exact as much economic cost through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has the ability to extract much greater economic costs on Iran than Iran has an ability to extract costs on us or on our friends in the world," Vance also said. "So I hope that they're smart. The president has set a deadline for about 12 hours from now, and the United States, we're going to find out. But there's going to be a lot of negotiation between now and then, and I'm hopeful that it gets to a good resolution." 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Greg Norman.

The U.S. State Department has instructed all Americans in Bahrain to shelter in place on Tuesday amid the war with Iran.

The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain's capital of Manama announced the recommendation in a Tuesday statement. The State Department has made similar announcements for Americans in countries throughout the Middle East as the war against Iran continues to escalate.

"The U.S. Embassy in Manama has directed all U.S. government employees to shelter in place. We recommend all Americans in Bahrain do the same until further notice. To the extent possible, remain in a secure structure, and stay away from windows," the embassy wrote in a statement.

"We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely and will keep you updated so you can make decisions about your safety. If you want to leave the Middle East, the U.S. government is ready to assist by providing you the latest information about the departure options available," the statement said.

"President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the Department of State have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," the statement continued.

The pilot and weapons systems officer who were rescued from Iran after their F-15E was shot down have now been transferred to a U.S. military base in Germany, two U.S. officials told Fox News on Tuesday.

Both airmen are now in Landstuhl, the U.S. military’s premier medical facility in Germany near Ramstein Air Base.

The officials say the pair are being prepared for a medical flight to the U.S.

The pilot has no major injuries, but the WSO has injuries to his elbow and back as well as a concussion. He is expected to recover, however, the officials said.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

Iranian authorities released two French citizens on Tuesday after holding them for nearly four years, French President Emmanuel Macron says.

Macron announced the release in a statement on X, naming the two citizens as Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris. The pair had been released from Iranian prison in November, but they had not been allowed to leave the country.

"Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and on their way to French territory, after three and a half years of detention in Iran. This is a relief for all of us and obviously for their families," Macron wrote.

"Thank you to the Omani authorities for their mediation efforts, to the State services, and to the citizens who mobilized tirelessly and thus contributed to their return," he added.

Kohler and Paris were arrested by Iranian authorities in 2022 on espionage charges.

Iranian officials have called on their citizens to form human chains around power plants as President Donald Trump threatens to attack the sites Tuesday.

The regime urged “all young people, athletes, artists, students and university students and their professors” to protect the power plants.

“Power plants that are our national assets and capital,” Alireza Rahimi, identified by Iranian state television as the secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, reportedly said in a video statement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed Tuesday morning that more than 14 million Iranians had vowed to "sacrifice their lives" in defense of the country.

"More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I too have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran,"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A gunfight with police outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, left one attacker dead, two others injured and two police officers sustaining minor injuries.

The armed attackers had ties to an activist group that "exploits religion," according to Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci on X.

"The identities of the terrorists have been identified," he wrote in a post translated by X. "It has been determined that the individuals, who arrived in Istanbul by a rental vehicle from Izmit, include one with ties to an organization that exploits religion; and it has also been established that one of the two terrorists, who are brothers, has a drug record."

U.S. ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack condemned the attack and praised Turkish authorities.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s attack on the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul," Barrack wrote on X. "Attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order — and an assault on the principles that bind nations together. We commend Türkiye and Turkish security forces for their swift and decisive response."

Police officers pulled out guns and took cover as shots rang out for at least 10 minutes near a permanent security checkpoint near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. One person was seen covered in blood amid the glass towers in the heart of the city's main financial district.

Footage obtained by Reuters showed an apparent attacker, in a dark top and carrying a backpack, moving among parked white police and security buses and firing, with an automatic rifle and a handgun.

Two bodies lay on nearby streets and parking areas, near grassy areas.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Eric Mack.

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth drew parallels between the rescue mission of an Air Force officer shot down in Iran on Good Friday and Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Hegseth spoke Monday during President Donald Trump's press conference centered on the Easter weekend rescue mission. He described how the airman "evaded capture for more than a day, scaling rugged ridges while hunted by the enemy."

"When he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder, his first message was simple and it was powerful. He sent a message: 'God is good,'" Hegseth said. "In that moment of isolation and danger, his faith and fighting spirit shone through."

Hegseth continued to describe the experience of the airman, suggesting that it was a spiritual experience for him.

"You see, shot down on a Friday —Good Friday — hidden in a cave — a crevice — all of Saturday and rescued on Sunday," Hegseth said. "Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday, a pilot reborn. All home and accounted for. A nation rejoicing. God is good."

Throughout the press conference, Trump also gave thanks to God for the success of the rescue mission, claiming multiple times that "God was watching us."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Elaine Mallon.

The ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Iran have been "positive" so far, but it remains unclear whether an agreement can be made in time to meet President Donald Trump's deadline, a senior U.S. official told Fox News on Tuesday.

“We are absolutely in touch with [Iran]. Absolutely. [The talks] have been positive. If we get lucky, we will have something by the end of the day," the official said.

Trump has given Iran until 8 pm ET to accept an agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

If Iran does not meet the deadline, Trump has vowed to drastically escalate the conflict, targeting the nation's power plants and transportation infrastructure.

Fox News' Will Hemmer contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump gave a grim warning to Iran on Tuesday morning, saying "a whole civilization will die tonight" if a deal isn't made to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!" he added.

Trump gave the Iranian regime until 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday to agree to a ceasefire that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. carried out "dozens" of strikes against military targets on Iran's Kharg Island late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, a senior U.S. official told Fox News.

President Donald Trump first floated attacks on the Iranian stronghold last week as his threats over reopening the Strait of Hormuz kicked off.

"U.S. hit dozens of military targets on Kharg Island overnight,” the official told Fox on Tuesday.

There have been no reports that the U.S. has deployed troops to strike the island.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

The Islamic Republic of Iran took the lives of two men convicted of trying to storm a military facility and access an armory in January, the Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary indicated on Sunday, according to Reuters.

An organization called Iran Human Rights said that the Iranian news agency reported that the two individuals, Mohammad Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast Kolor, were hanged on April 5.

Biglari, a 19-year-old computer science student, Kolor, 30, were arrested with several other individuals on January 8 amid a crackdown against protesters in the nation's capital city of Tehran, according to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

They faced charges that included "'enmity against God (moharebeh), corruption on earth, arson of public facilities, and assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,'" the group indicated.

Another individual arrested January 8, 18-year-old Amirhossein Hatami, was hanged on April 2, Iran Human Rights noted, citing the Mizan News Agency.

Ali Fahim, a 23-year-old who was among those arrested on January 8, was executed on April 6, the Hengaw Organization noted on Monday, explaining that the Mizan news agency confirmed the killing.

"These executions are part of the Islamic Republic’s strategy of survival, waging war against its own people under the shadow of external conflict," Iran Human Rights Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam noted. "The international community must respond with urgency. The situation of prisoners and the regime’s systematic use of the death penalty as a political tool of repression must be made a central condition in any negotiations or engagement with the Islamic Republic."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Alex Nitzberg.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., called President Donald Trump an "unhinged lunatic" in a Monday post on X, advocating for him to be ousted from office.

"This is not ok. Invoke the 25th amendment. Impeach. Remove. This unhinged lunatic must be removed from office," she asserted.

The left-wing lawmaker made the comments while sharing a screenshot of the president's controversial Easter Sunday Truth Social post threatening attacks against Iranian power plants and bridges.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F---in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," Trump wrote in the post, referring to the Strait of Hormuz. 

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., warned in a Monday post on X, "Threatening to target power plants and other non-military targets is not strength. If those words become orders to destroy civilian infrastructure with no valid military purpose, it’s hard to see how they would not violate the laws of armed conflict. America leads best with strength, discipline, and professionalism. Illegal orders to make civilians suffer would be a black mark on our military and our country."

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., declared in a Sunday post on X, "President Trump's profanity-laden Easter threat to attack Iran's civilian infrastructure—power plants and bridges—are the words of a frustrated and immoral madman. Many experts agree that such attacks would be war crimes under international law. To our military leaders, remember this: You are legally required to refuse orders to commit war crimes."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., characterized Trump's comments as "the ravings of a dangerous and mentally unbalanced individual," asserting in a Sunday post on X, "Congress has got to act NOW. End this war."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment early Tuesday morning.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Alex Nitzberg.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Trump administration that attacking civilian infrastructure in Iran is prohibited under international law, according to his spokesman.

"Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Dujarric said an attack on these civilian targets would still be banned if it risks "excessive incidental civilian harm."

If U.S. President Donald Trump moves forward with his threats to strike power plants and bridges, Dujarric said a court would determine whether the attacks amount to war crimes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.