WASHINGTON — The press briefing scheduled for Tuesday by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was unexpectedly canceled just hours before its start, coinciding with the commencement of US airstrikes on Kharg Island, a critical hub for approximately 90% of Iran’s oil operations.

Late Monday night, Pentagon representatives informed the media about this sudden change. Hegseth, alongside Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been consistently updating journalists on the progress of the conflict with Iran since it erupted on February 28.

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On Tuesday, the US executed numerous strikes on Iran’s oil-centric island, targeting what reports suggest were primarily military installations. These actions underline the strategic focus of the assault.

Iran has drawn a firm line regarding any aggression towards Kharg Island. President Trump has issued an ultimatum to the Iranian regime, demanding an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 pm ET Tuesday. This strategic waterway is crucial, facilitating the transport of over 20% of the world’s seaborne oil. Failure to comply, Trump warned, would result in severe military repercussions.

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