Tehran, 06 April (H.S.):

Amid escalating tensions in the war-torn Middle East, Iran has firmly dismissed a stern warning from US President Donald Trump demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, heightening fears of broader conflict.

Tehran rejected the ultimatum outright, branding Trump as helpless and panicked, while asserting that it fears no threats and will not yield the strategic waterway. Iranian officials declared that the strait remains closed, daring adversaries to act as they see fit.

According to Al Jazeera reports, Iran's central military command categorically dismissed Trump's 48-hour deadline, in which he threatened to devastate the country's critical infrastructure—such as power plants—if no peace agreement is reached and the strait is not reopened. Trump warned that failure to comply would unleash calamity on Iran.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei emphasized that Trump's threats do not intimidate the Iranian people, who possess all necessary means for self-defense. He added that Iran has proven its resolve since the war's outset, promising reciprocal retaliation against any strikes on civilian infrastructure, particularly power facilities.

The channel further noted ongoing Israeli and US attacks on Iranian civilian and petrochemical sites, which have killed at least five people, including one in a strike on the Bushehr nuclear facility.

The US claims to have arrested the niece and daughter of the late Major-General Qasem Soleimani, revoking their permanent residency, though the women denied any relation to them in a statement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar