US reinforces troop presence in region Both sides exchange fresh waves of strikes Haifa refinery hit again amid att
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN:
US President Donald Trump sharply raised the stakes, warning that Washington could unleash widespread destruction on Iran’s critical infrastructure if a deal to end hostilities is not reached “shortly”.
The widening and increasingly volatile conflict showed no sign of abating on Monday, as fresh strikes, mounting military deployments and stark warnings of escalation underscored the risk of a broader regional and economic crisis.
Trump’s threats included targeting oil facilities, power plants and even desalination systems that supply drinking water. They came as Washington continued to project confidence about diplomatic progress, even as Tehran publicly rejected US proposals as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive”.
At the centre of tensions lies the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy artery through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. Iran has effectively blocked the narrow waterway, triggering fears of prolonged supply disruption and fuelling a sharp surge in global oil prices.
Brent crude climbed to around $115 per barrel, marking a nearly 60% increase since the war began on February 28, as markets braced for further escalation. The International Monetary Fund and G7 finance leaders have warned of serious spill-over risks to global economic stability.
“The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran,” Trump wrote in a social media post, adding that “great progress” has been made in the talks.
“But, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched’,” he said.
On the battlefield, both sides intensified attacks. Iran launched fresh waves of missiles targeting Israel and struck infrastructure across the Gulf. In Kuwait, an Iranian strike hit a power and desalination plant, killing one worker and injuring 10 soldiers.
Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple missiles aimed at its oil-rich Eastern Province, while air defences in the United Arab Emirates shot down a projectile over Dubai. Turkey also reported intercepting a ballistic missile that briefly entered its airspace, highlighting the conflict’s expanding geographic reach.
Inside Israel, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Haifa for the second time during the war, while residential areas in cities including Shefaram and Haifa suffered damage from Iranian missile strikes. Sirens also sounded near sensitive strategic sites, reflecting sustained pressure on Israeli defences.
Israel, backed by the United States, launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, targeting what it described as military infrastructure. Explosions were reported across Tehran, and a petrochemicals facility in Tabriz sustained damage in an airstrike.
The United States has significantly reinforced its military presence in the region. Thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving, adding to deployments of Marines, naval forces and special operations units already in place.
Officials said the troop build-up is intended to expand Washington’s military options, including the possibilitystill under considerationof deploying ground forces inside Iran for missions such as securing oil routes, extracting nuclear material or seizing strategic assets like Kharg Island, which handles the bulk of Iran’s oil exports.
Despite the military escalation, the White House insists diplomacy remains active. Officials say talks are progressing through intermediaries, though analysts note a persistent gap between public rhetoric and private signals from both sides.
Trump has even floated the idea of calling on Arab states to help finance the war effort, while setting an informal deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Failure to comply, he warned, could trigger devastating US strikes.
Iran, however, has responded with defiance. Senior officials warned that any US ground incursion would be met with force, with one senior figure saying Iranian troops were ready to “set them on fire” if American forces entered the country.
Tehran has also hinted at further escalation options, including mining the Persian Gulf and potentially withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a move that would deepen fears over nuclear proliferation.
The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Iranian authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while at least 19 have died in Israel. Dozens more have been killed across the Gulf and other affected areas, with many casualties reported to be civilians. More than 300 US troops have been injured and 13 killed since the start of operations.
The conflict has also triggered geopolitical ripples far beyond the immediate region. Spain has barred US military aircraft involved in the war from using its airspace, reflecting growing unease among some allies over the scope and legality of the campaign.
As military activity intensifies and diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, the war appears to be entering a more dangerous phase, with the risk of direct confrontation expanding and the consequences for the global economy becoming harder to contain.
