Donald Trump has vowed to completely dismantle Iran’s capabilities as reports surface about a potential prolonged ground conflict in the Middle East, with a significant deployment of US marines arriving in the area this week.

Amidst speculation of imminent troop deployment, Trump asserted that Iran’s downfall would be beneficial, declaring that the nation is finally facing the consequences of its actions.

In defiance of Trump’s ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has dismissed his demands, threatening to annihilate the region’s entire energy infrastructure.

On Saturday, Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, giving them 48 hours to ensure safe passage through the crucial shipping channel or face the complete destruction of their power facilities.

However, the Iranian regime responded by stating that any attack on their power plants would lead to irreversible damage to energy facilities throughout the region. Today, via Iran’s Fars News Agency, the regime disclosed the eight Persian Gulf energy sites it aims to target.

Furthermore, Tehran cautioned that it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz—currently granting safe passage to a select few nations with friendly ties—and threatened to hit Israeli nuclear facilities.

Speaking to News Israel about the Strait and whether Iran would cave to his ultimatum, President Trump said: ‘You’ll find out what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran. It’s gonna work out very good’.

He added: ‘They’ve [Iran] been very bad for 47 years. Now they’re getting their comeuppance’.

And in another attack on Nato countries including the UK, and their failure to help the US in Hormuz, he added: ‘They are not doing anything. It’s too bad’.

Over the weekend it was reported that Mr Trump is considering putting American troops on the ground in Iran in order to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s oil terminal. 

A Pentagon source briefed the Israeli media last night to say: ‘The assessment is that this is an operation that will last for many weeks…the goal is a broad strategic change’.

As Donald Trump threatened Iran with ‘total decimation’:

• The President’s deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz will expire just before midnight UK time, on Monday;
• In a post on his Truth Social platform he warned Iran that there would be: ‘PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, TO PUT IT MILDLY!!!’;
• Mr Trump spoke with Sir Keir Starmer for 20 minutes last night about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. It was described by aides as ‘constructive’. The Prime Minister will host a Cobra emergency committee meeting this afternoon;
• After Tehran was hit hard on Sunday, Iran was firing missiles again overnight, choosing targets in Israel. Several were shot down close to Tel Aviv;

Donald Trump warned Tehran on Saturday it had 48 hours to allow cargo through the vital global shipping lane ‘without threat’ or he would ‘obliterate’ their power plants

An explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Saudi air defences intercepted 8 ballistic missiles launched by Iran

Iran ferociously rejected an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (pictured) yesterday and threatened to wipe out the entire region’s energy infrastructure

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may even be in a coma after attacks by Israel and the US

The threats came after Iranian missiles hit two towns near a nuclear plant in Dimona, southern Israel, injuring more than 160 people. It was thought to be retaliation for a reported Israeli strike on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the war has now entered a ‘perilous stage’.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director–general, said: ‘I urgently call on all parties to exercise maximum military restraint and avoid any actions that could trigger nuclear incidents.’

As the conflict enters its fourth week, Iran’s chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of global oil passes, is ramping up pressure on Mr Trump.

Oil prices have risen 50 per cent to over $100 (£75) with fears they could double, sparking a global recession.

Mr Trump wrote shortly before midnight UK time on Saturday: ‘If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!’

He doubled down on his threats yesterday, telling Iran it would face ‘total decimation’ if the Islamic Republic failed to fully open the strait.

Speaking to Israeli channel N13, Trump said: ‘You’ll find out what’s gonna happen. Will they cave in to the ultimatum? You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran. It’s gonna work out very good.’

He added: ‘They’ve [Iran] been very bad for 47 years. Now they’re getting their comeuppance.’  

But despite nearly its entire top leadership being wiped out by devastating US–Israeli precision strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday said Tehran would ‘firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield’.

He added: ‘The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history–making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil.’

A spokesman for the Iranian armed forces also warned that if the US ‘carries out its threats’ the Strait ‘will not reopen until our damaged power plants are rebuilt’.

Thousands of US Marines are heading to the region as Washington decides how to force open the Strait.

It is reportedly mulling a potential invasion of Kharg Island to seize the strategically vital territory through which Iran exports 90 per cent of its crude oil and to force Tehran to surrender.

But the Iranian regime warned if they do so it will ‘face a response that is unprecedented’ as they would ‘set fire to all the facilities in the region’ which would likely crash the global economy.

The US is reportedly mulling a potential invasion of Kharg Island (pictured) to seize the strategically vital territory 

Israel and Iran have continued to trade blows as the war spirals and shows no sign of concluding. (Pictured: Rocket trails in the sky over the Israeli city of Netanya amid Iranian missiles)

As the war continues to spiral, Israel has vowed to continue hitting Iran for at least another three weeks.

IDF chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said: ‘We are halfway through, but the direction is clear.’

Benjamin Netanyahu visited the sites of the Iranian strike on Arad, near Dimona, southern Israel, yesterday and vowed: ‘We’re going after the IRGC [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps], this criminal gang.

‘We’re going after them personally, their leaders, their installations, their economic assets.’

Of the 160 injured from two ballistic missiles that struck Arad and Dimona, 70 were children.

Israel’s military said Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at the country since the start of the war, with around 92 percent of them intercepted.

Iran continued its strikes on Gulf neighbours last night, with Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry saying three ballistic missiles were detected around the capital yesterday.

The IRGC also warned residents to evacuate Doha, Qatar ‘as quickly as possible’ as it stated the area is now a ‘legitimate target’ due to US forces stationed there.

Near Baghdad Airport in Iraq, at least three drones hit the American diplomatic and logistics hub.