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The US-Iran conflict has taken a dire turn as President Donald Trump threatens to destroy Iran's power plants, bridges, and other vital civilian infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn that such actions will only prolong and expand the conflict, which has already entered its sixth week.Naveed Shah, political director at Common Defense, an advocacy group led by US military veterans, cautioned that if the regional war is not brought to an end soon, “there’s no end in sight as to how far” it will spread. Shah emphasized that attacking infrastructure will not end the war faster, but rather make it go on much longer.Iran has warned of severe retaliation if its civilian infrastructure is attacked, potentially targeting energy and power facilities across the region, which could further raise oil and gas prices. Several Iranian officials have ruled out reopening the Strait of Hormuz under Trump's threats.Brian Finucane, an analyst at the International Crisis Group and former adviser at the US Department of State, stated that attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran are unlikely to help Trump achieve his goals, namely reopening Hormuz. “It’s hard to see this lead to some quick US victory,” Finucane said.The supply pressure from closing Hormuz is being felt in the US, where petrol prices have gone up to more than $4.11 per gallon from less than $3 before the war. Finucane noted that escalating attacks against Iran and having Iran escalate attacks against its neighbors is a recipe for “even higher gas prices.”Trump has set a deadline for Iran to reopen Hormuz or face widespread destruction, threatening that the “whole civilisation will die” after the deadline passes. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari warned that prolonging the war benefits no one and could take the conflict to a point where it cannot be controlled.Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, said more threats and attacks by Trump will only lead to more resistance by Iran. “Maximum pressure has not produced surrender from Iran since the first term of President Trump,” Mortazavi told Al Jazeera.

In an urgent 11‑hour appeal posted on X, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked U.S. President Donald Trump to push back the deadline for his proposed Iran deal by two weeks. Sharif also called on Tehran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same period, framing the move as a goodwill gesture that could bolster ongoing diplomatic talks aimed at ending the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. Sharif wrote that “Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in the near future,” and added that a temporary cease‑fire across the region would give negotiations a chance to succeed. The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that President Trump is aware of Pakistan’s proposal and that an official response will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is “positively reviewing” the request. Trump has intensified his rhetoric, warning on Truth Social that the United States would “destroy the Iranian civilization” if Tehran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz and comply with his terms. Iran has responded by nearly halting maritime traffic through the waterway, which carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments, as retaliation for recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian soil. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would not hesitate to strike back if U.S. forces target civilian facilities. In parallel, Israel has launched attacks on Iranian railways and bridges, while Iranian forces have struck targets in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A Pakistani source speaking to Al Jazeera noted that “we’re at a dangerous escalation, but the possibility of diplomacy can’t be ruled out till the last minute,” emphasizing Islamabad’s commitment to keeping all diplomatic channels open despite internal opposition. Legal experts have warned that Trump’s threats to target civilian infrastructure could amount to a war crime. Yale University professor and U.S. legal scholar Oona Hathaway warned that any such action would become “exhibit A” in future war‑crimes tribunals, noting that there is no statute of limitations for these offenses. As the deadline looms, the international community watches to see whether Trump will grant the requested extension, whether Iran will reopen the strategic strait, and whether diplomatic momentum can translate into a lasting cease‑fire in the volatile Middle East.

The relationship between the United States and Iran appears to be on the brink of a critical juncture. Recent statements from US officials suggest a potential military strike against Iran's power infrastructure, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for the region. The threat, as reported, has heightened concerns about the stability of the Middle East and the potential for widespread disruptions to Iran's energy sector. This development comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the US and Iran have been under intense scrutiny. Iran, a significant player in the global energy market, relies heavily on its power plants to support both domestic needs and international oil exports. Any disruption to these facilities could lead to significant economic and geopolitical repercussions, affecting not only Iran but also the broader region and global markets. The situation remains fluid, with international observers closely monitoring developments for signs of escalation or potential diplomatic breakthroughs. The possibility of military action against Iran's power plants raises critical questions about the future of US-Iran relations and the impact on regional stability.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has reached a critical point, with intensified airstrikes on Iranian targets, including universities and oil facilities. US President Donald Trump has warned of the “complete demolition” of Iran’s key infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by a looming deadline.Iran’s military has dismissed Trump’s threats as “delusional”, saying they cannot mask what it described as US “disgrace and humiliation” in the region. Iranian missiles and drones continue to target sites across the Gulf region.US ultimatum: Trump has issued a strict deadline, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s power plants and bridges by Tuesday evening (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.Iran rejects pause offer: Iran has rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would give the US and Israel time to regroup and launch further attacks. Instead, Iranian officials have put forward a 10-point proposal calling for a comprehensive and permanent end to the war.The conflict has also spread to other countries in the region, with Saudi Arabia intercepting up to 18 drones over the past few hours and Bahrain closing an important bridge linking the island nation to Saudi Arabia due to fears of attacks from Iran.The United Nations has reported that more than 1.1 million people have now been registered as displaced in Lebanon as Israel continues its ground invasion in the country’s south.

Donald Trump's open threats to commit war crimes in Iran have raised concerns about his impunity. The US Supreme Court's recent ruling in Trump v United States has given him reason to believe he can act with impunity within the US. However, there are international options for prosecution that lie beyond the court's lawless license.Trump's plan to bomb Iran and destroy civilian infrastructure, such as desalination plants, electrical-generating facilities, and bridges, would violate international humanitarian law's rule of proportionality. The destruction of civilian infrastructure would have a disproportionate impact on civilians, and therefore, it is not justified.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has charged Russian military commanders with war crimes for attacking electrical infrastructure in Ukraine. Similarly, Trump's actions could be prosecuted as war crimes. However, the ICC has no jurisdiction over crimes committed on Iranian territory since Iran is not a member of the ICC.There are alternative routes for prosecution. The Iranian government could join the ICC and grant it retroactive jurisdiction, similar to what Ukraine did to allow prosecution of Russian war crimes. Additionally, under the concept of universal jurisdiction, governments can use their national courts to prosecute certain crimes even if committed by non-nationals abroad.A group of countries, such as the European Union, NATO, or the G7, could establish an international tribunal to address crimes committed in Iran, including war crimes and aggression. This would allow Trump to be prosecuted as soon as the tribunal is established, without waiting for him to leave office.

American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week, has been released, according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation. Kittleson was freed in the afternoon, and before her release, she had been held in Baghdad.The powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement earlier in the day it had decided to free Kittleson, who was abducted on March 31. The group said its decision came “in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing prime minister”, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, without giving more details. It added: “This initiative will not be repeated in the future.”The statement also included a condition – that Kittleson must “leave the country immediately” upon her release. Kittleson, 49, a freelance journalist, had lived abroad for years before the kidnapping, using Rome as her base for a time and building a respected journalism career across the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Syria.Kataib Hezbollah has previously been accused of kidnapping foreigners, including Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, who disappeared in Baghdad in 2023 and was freed in September 2025. The group never officially claimed responsibility for kidnapping her.Iran-backed militias in Iraq have also launched regular attacks on US facilities in the country since the beginning of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Mexico is facing a severe 'toxic crisis' due to the importation of hazardous waste from the US, according to a UN expert. Marcos Orellana, the UN special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, conducted an 11-day investigative mission in Mexico and found lax environmental standards and a lack of oversight, leading to the accumulation of pollution over the years. Orellana warned that over 1,000 contaminated locations are officially recorded in Mexico's National Inventory of Contaminated Sites, many of which have become 'sacrifice zones' where diseases such as cancer and medical events like miscarriages are normalized. He cited factories spewing hazardous waste into the Atoyac River in Puebla, huge industrial pig farms contaminating drinking water on the Yucatan peninsula, and a decade-old mining chemical spill affecting health in communities around the Sonora River. The expert emphasized that US overconsumption and economic activity are using Mexico as a 'garbage sink'. He proposed that Mexico could adopt restrictions on the import of hazardous waste as a measure to address part of the crisis. Some countries have chosen to ban such imports to avoid becoming destinations for international waste. Residents in Monterrey, which suffers from some of the worst air pollution in North America, welcomed the rapporteur's calls for more attention to the health of Mexico's people. Local activists and childcare center directors highlighted the dire health effects on communities, including respiratory illnesses and other health issues. Mexico's government has acknowledged that regulatory standards are out of date and has announced plans to strengthen them. Officials are rolling out a new air monitoring system to detect emissions from specific facilities, starting in an industrial corridor of Monterrey.

For Konstantin, a 53‑year‑old resident of St Petersburg, the war in Ukraine has become a literal scent in the air. Over the past fortnight he has repeatedly detected the acrid odor of burning crude, fuel and chemicals drifting from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s two largest Baltic oil terminals. The facilities at Ust‑Luga and Primorsk together handle about 40% of Moscow’s seaborne oil exports and roughly 2% of global oil supply, according to the International Energy Agency. Both ports lie within 150 km of St Petersburg, making the smoke visible – and smelt – to locals. Ukrainian drones have flown more than 1,000 km from the front lines to strike storage tanks and loading infrastructure, igniting fires that have burned for days. The smell, described by Konstantin as a mix of diesel exhaust, burning plastic and rotten eggs, first appeared in late March. These attacks are a key element of Kyiv’s strategy to erode Russia’s “unexpected windfall” from oil exports, a revenue stream that has surged as the US‑Israel campaign against Iran pushed global oil prices higher. Satellite imagery shows extensive damage at both terminals, with Ust‑Luga’s sprawling processing complex blackened by fire. As a result, both ports are currently unable to dispatch cargo, forcing traders to reroute oil to smaller Baltic and Black Sea ports that lack the capacity to absorb the displaced volume. Financial analysts estimate that the disruption has already cost Moscow roughly $1 billion in lost export earnings, according to Bloomberg data released on March 31. Moreover, every $10 rise in global oil prices translates into about $1.6 billion of additional monthly income for the Kremlin. Russian officials have blamed European nations for allegedly facilitating the drone overflights, but Ukrainian experts dispute this claim. Andrey Pronin, a pioneer of Ukraine’s drone warfare, emphasized that the strikes are meticulously planned to stay within Russian airspace, bypassing air‑defence systems. Since the campaign began, Ukrainian forces have targeted 13 oil sites, seriously damaging at least eight refineries from the Baltic coast to the Volga region. The attacks are timed to coincide with the heightened profitability Russia enjoys from the Iran‑related oil price surge, according to researcher Nikolay Mitrokhin of Bremen University. Beyond the immediate economic impact, Kyiv views the strikes as leverage in negotiations with Moscow. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has floated the idea of a temporary moratorium on attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for concessions, though the strategy also inadvertently benefits Iran by sustaining higher oil prices. On the tactical side, Ukraine now relies heavily on FP‑1 drones produced by the domestic Firepoint company. These unmanned aircraft can carry up to 120 kg of explosives and travel roughly 1,500 km, enabling strikes deep inside Russian territory. For civilians living near the conflict zones, the nightly “fireworks” of explosions have become a grim routine. Abdulla, a Tatar resident of Crimea, described the constant shelling as a new normal, while analysts note that President Vladimir Putin remains resolute, using the ongoing talks with the White House as a diplomatic façade. Overall, the Ukrainian drone campaign illustrates how modern warfare increasingly intertwines kinetic attacks with strategic economic disruption, reshaping the dynamics of the Russia‑Ukraine war and its broader geopolitical reverberations.

President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. Eastern Time on April 7 (midnight GMT on April 8) or face the destruction of national power plants and major bridges.This demand mirrors a March 21 warning in which Trump threatened to strike Iran’s power plants – “the biggest one first” – if the waterway was not fully reopened within 48 hours.Since then, the deadline has been extended several times, with the White House citing progress in secret negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, a claim Iran publicly denies.While Trump has repeatedly declared that Iran would “lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country,” he has not identified specific facilities as targets.The president has also threatened to demolish Iran’s bridges; a recent U.S.–Israeli strike damaged the B1 bridge in Karaj, a high‑profile structure slated for inauguration, underscoring the tangible risk to civilian infrastructure.Legal analysts warn that such attacks could constitute “collective punishment,” a practice prohibited under international humanitarian law.Iran’s electricity network comprises hundreds of power stations that together form one of the Middle East’s largest grids, supplying power to approximately 92 million people. Most facilities cluster around major population centres—Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan—where demand is highest.The generation mix is dominated by natural‑gas‑fired plants, supplemented by coal, oil, hydro, and a single nuclear facility. In the north and centre of the country, dense clusters of gas‑fired stations serve Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Mashhad.Along the Gulf coast, a second concentration of plants benefits from proximity to vast gas fields and ports, enabling large thermal stations to operate on abundant natural gas. This coastal belt also hosts the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Iran’s only nuclear reactor with a capacity of 1,000 MW, a site that has been repeatedly targeted by U.S. and Israeli forces, raising concerns about potential radioactive fallout.Hydropower generation is centred on a series of dams along the Karun River, the country’s primary source of hydroelectric power.All electricity is transmitted through a national grid managed by the Iran Grid Management Company, delivering power to cities, industry and households.A map of Iranian power stations with capacities of 100 MW or more shows that a single 100 MW plant can typically supply electricity to 75,000–100,000 homes, depending on consumption patterns.The nation’s largest facility is the Damavand Power Plant in Pakdasht, about 50 km southeast of Tehran, boasting a capacity of 2,868 MW—enough to energise more than two million homes.Key high‑capacity plants include:Damavand (Pakdasht) – Natural‑gas combined‑cycle, 2,868 MW.Shahid Salimi – Neka, Caspian Sea coast, natural gas, 2,215 MW.Shahid Rajaee – Near Qazvin, natural gas, 2,043 MW.Karun‑3 Dam – Khuzestan Province, hydropower, 2,000 MW.Kerman – Natural gas, 1,912 MW.Other strategically important stations are the Ramin Power Plant (1,903 MW, gas), the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (1,000 MW, nuclear), and the Bandar Abbas Power Plant (1,330 MW, oil) near the Strait of Hormuz.Iran’s electricity generation is heavily fossil‑fuel dependent: in 2025, 86 % of power came from natural gas, 7 % from oil‑fired plants, about 5 % from hydropower, 2 % from nuclear, and less than 1 % from solar and wind. This makes Iran one of the world’s most gas‑reliant power systems.Targeting the grid would therefore cripple energy supply for millions, disrupt industrial output, and could trigger a humanitarian crisis, while also escalating geopolitical tensions in an already volatile region.