Washington, Apr 6 (AP) US President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his threat to hit Iran's critical infrastructure hard if the country's government doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline.
Trump punctuated his threat with profanity in a social media post Sunday, saying that Tuesday will be “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran”.
He also offered details of the rescue of a “seriously wounded and really brave” US service member he identified as a “respected colonel” who was missing since Iran shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday.
The US president said the rescue was a rarely attempted type of operation because of the potential dangers. A second crew member was rescued earlier in “broad daylight” after seven hours over Iran.
The war began with joint US-Israel strikes on Feb 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.
Here is the latest:
Iranian negotiators have immunity from death: Trump says
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The US president made the comments during an off-camera interview with Fox News.
“We've given them immunity from death. And we've told the people that we're dealing with, who are the top people,” the president said.
Trump contended that the Iranians had already conceded on having a nuclear weapon.
“They're not even negotiating that point, it's so easy,” Trump told Fox News. “That's already been conceded. Most of the points are conceded.”
4 wounded in fire at UAE's Khor Fakkan port
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The United Arab Emirates' Sharjah government said that one Nepali and three Pakistani nationals were wounded Sunday in a fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, according to a statement posted on the social platform X.
One individual was severely wounded and had to be hospitalised, while the others suffered mild and moderate injuries, the statement said.
The statement did not specify whether the intercepted projectile was a missile or a drone.
3 missing in Haifa apartment building strike
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Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority said Sunday they were searching for three people in the northern Israeli city of Haifa after an Iranian missile strike.
Paramedics said they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They added that three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.
Associated Press video filmed at the scene showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.
The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit, but it was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by a missile or shrapnel from an interception.
Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in Gaza City: health officials
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The strike on a group of people also wounded others, according to health officials at the Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Gaza Strip has seen near-daily Israeli fire and strikes since a fragile ceasefire was reached in October, and more than 700 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.
Since the Iran war began over a month ago, Gaza militants have sat out the conflict and haven't claimed any attacks against Israel. (AP) SCY
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