Iran warns US, Israel that 'entire region will become hell for you' if escalation continues

Warning comes after Trump threatens Iran, says 'Time is running out-48 hours before all hell will reign down on them'

Iran on Sunday warned the United States and Israel that continued military escalation in the region would have devastating consequences, according to Iranian state media.

The warning came after US President Trump issued a stark 48‑hour ultimatum to Iran, saying Tehran must strike a deal and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences, warning that “all hell will reign down on them.” 

Israel preparing to attack Iranian energy facilities

Israel is also preparing to attack Iranian energy facilities but is awaiting a green light from the United States, a senior Israeli defence official said on Saturday, adding that any such attacks would likely come within the next week.

The comments came after US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum, sharpening focus on whether Washington would back further Israeli military action against Iran.

Iran says Iraq exempt from any Strait of Hormuz restrictions

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said Iraq would be exempt from any restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported on Saturday, signaling preferential treatment for Baghdad as Tehran tightens control over the strategic waterway.

In a statement on X, Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari said, "We announce that our brotherly country, Iraq, is exempt from any restrictions we have imposed on the Strait of Hormuz. Your struggle against America is worthy of respect, appreciation, and admiration."

📢 We announce that our brotherly country, IRAQ, IS EXEMPT FROM ANY RESTRICTIONS we have imposed on the Strait of Hormuz.

Your struggle against America is worthy of respect, appreciation, and admiration. pic.twitter.com/at78zH19IO

— True Promise - الوعد الصادق ✪🇮🇷 (@IRTruePromise) April 4, 2026

 

Trump warns Iran it has 48 hours to strike deal

United States President Donald Trump issued a stark 48‑hour ultimatum to Iran, saying Tehran must strike a deal and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences, warning that “all hell will reign down on them.” 

On his Truth Social account, Trump recalled an earlier ultimatum, saying, “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait,” referring to the March 26 directive.

He added, “Time is running out — 48 hours before all hell will reign down on them,” and concluded with, “Glory be to God!” 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116346816254869135

In response, Iran mocked Trump’s 48‑hour ultimatum, with officials deriding what they called his “ultimatum rants,” saying, “Our honest reply to old man's ultimatum rants now.”

Our honest reply to old man's ultimatum rants now : https://t.co/yy8iSqd2p8 pic.twitter.com/2yDXWQY0sx

— True Promise - الوعد الصادق ✪🇮🇷 (@IRTruePromise) April 4, 2026

Iran deploys new air defence system

Iran’s military command said that it had deployed a new air defence system to strike the US jets it had downed on Friday, and promised Tehran would “definitely achieve full control” over its airspace after more than a month of US and Israeli aerial dominance during the war.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that he was "deeply grateful to Pakistan" for its mediation efforts amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, adding that they "never refused to go to Islamabad".

In a post on X, he stated, "Iran's position was being misrepresented by the US media," adding that Iran wants "a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war" imposed on it.

Iran's position is being misrepresented by U.S. media.

We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us.

پاکستان زنده باد pic.twitter.com/AUjBQxOFyA

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 4, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar replied to his post on X, saying that he appreciated the clarification by his "Dear Brother Araghchi."

Truly appreciate your clarification, my Dear Brother @Araghchi. 🇵🇰 🤝 🇮🇷 https://t.co/reptX11LQa

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 4, 2026

Iran says it hit Israel-linked vessel in Hormuz strait

Iran attacked ​an Israel-affiliated ‌vessel with a ​drone ​in the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, ​setting ​the ship on fire, Iran's ​state ​media said on ‌Saturday, ⁠citing the commander of ​the ​Revolutionary ⁠Guards navy.

Projectile hits near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant

Earlier, a projectile struck near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant's perimeter fence in southwest Iran on Saturday, killing one person, semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

BREAKING: A projectile has struck near the Bushehr nuclear plant, in southwest Iran, killing one person, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/1DSU9LrS8J pic.twitter.com/KZGtzX1AKr

— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 4, 2026

It initially reported that there was no damage done to main parts of the plant, however, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said that the person who was killed was part of the plant’s security staff, and that damage was done to one of the facility’s side buildings.

Tasnim stated that there is currently no radiological danger posed by the attack, according to Al Jazeera.

Iraq closes Shalamcheh crossing with Iran after airstrikes kill Iraqi

According to Reuters, Iraq closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after airstrikes on the Iranian side killed an Iraqi citizen, security sources said on Saturday.

The sources said at least five Iraqis were seriously wounded in the strikes, which hit a passenger reception area on the Iranian side.

Iraqi police recovered the body of a man, while the wounded were taken to hospital, most in critical condition.

Iraq's border authorities ordered the crossing closed to trade and travellers, the authorities said in a statement.

Downed planes spell new peril for Trump as Tehran hunts missing US pilot

Iran's forces were hunting on Saturday for a missing US pilot from one of two warplanes downed over Iran and the Gulf, officials from both sides said, while two airmen were rescued.

The incidents show the risks still facing US and Israeli aircraft over Iran as the war entered its sixth week, despite assertions by President Donald Trump and his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that US forces had total control of the skies.

The prospect of a US service person alive and on the run in Iran raises the stakes for Washington in a conflict with low public support among Americans and no sign of an imminent end.

Explosions heard in Iran petrochemical zone

Reuters reported that several explosions were heard at the Mahshahr special petrochemical zone in southwestern Iran's Khuzestan province, as per the Fars news agency.

Iran's ISNA said there is a 'high chance' of casualties as a result of the US-Israeli attack on the zone.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Al Jazeera reported that Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli air strike on the fishermen’s port in Tyre, southern Lebanon, has killed one person.

According to the NNA report, Israeli forces continue to blow up houses in several southern front-line villages and towns, such as Ayta al-Shaab and Ramyah.

The NNA also stated earlier that an Israeli drone strike killed at least two people when a motorbike was targeted in the northern outskirts of Tyre.

Al Jazeera reported that Israeli air attacks have hit the towns of Yohmar and Sahmar in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Iran said its forces have downed more than 160 drones

According to Al Jazeera, in a statement carried by the IRNA news agency, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami said the Iranian air forces have already destroyed several advanced fighter jets, dozens of cruise missiles and more than 160 drones, including the Hermes and Lucas unmanned aircraft.

He added that the downing of these aircraft was “the result of tactics and the use of new equipment and innovations in defence systems”, which he said has "confused the enemy".

Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli army has said that it has carried out another wave of strikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran. This comes after the military said earlier today that the air force struck “regime aerial defence sites, including an IRGC aerial defence site where missiles intended to target aircraft were stored” inside Tehran.

It claimed an attack on a “military site responsible for safeguarding the regime’s weapons research and development facilities” as well as a site where ballistic missiles were stored.

The Israelis say weapons production, research and development sites were also hit, but did not provide details or evidence of the claims.

Tehran mocks Trump's war aims

According to Al Jazeera, Fars news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s “advanced modern” air defence systems have shot down a US MQ-1 drone over the province of Isfahan.

Iranian fire brought down a two-seat US F-15E jet, officials in both countries said, while two US officials said the pilot ejected from an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft that crashed in Kuwait after being hit by Iranian fire.

Additionally, a US Army CH-47F “Chinook” transport helicopter sustained heavy damage to its cockpit and forward rotor during an Iranian one-way drone strike on Camp Buehring in Kuwait within the past few days.

A U.S. Army CH-47F “Chinook” dual-rotor transport helicopter sustained heavy damage to its cockpit and forward rotor during an Iranian one-way drone strike on Camp Buehring in Kuwait within the past few days ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/awKdlGkzGy

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 4, 2026

Two Black Hawk helicopters engaged in the search for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two US officials told Reuters.

The scale of injuries to the crew was unclear.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing a southwestern area near where the pilot's plane came down, while the regional governor promised a commendation for anyone who captured or killed "forces of the hostile enemy."

Iranian civilians, terrorised by American aerial bombardments since the US and Israel began their attacks on February 28, celebrated the plane downings. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on X that the war had been "downgraded from regime change" to a hunt for pilots.

After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from “regime change” to “Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?🥺”

Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 3, 2026

Trump has been in the White House receiving updates on the rescue effort, a senior administration official told Reuters. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iran has told mediators it is not prepared to meet with US officials in Islamabad in the coming days and that efforts led by Pakistan to reach a ceasefire have hit a dead end, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday.

The war has killed thousands, sparked an energy crisis and threatened lasting damage to the global economy since the initial strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The conflict has killed 13 US military service members, with more than 300 wounded, the US Central Command said.

Trump threatens bridges, power plants

Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation and aimed at Gulf countries' US bases, which have held back from joining the war directly for fear of further escalation.

On Saturday, authorities in Dubai said no injuries were reported after debris from aerial interceptions hit the facades of two buildings in the emirate.

In a security alert on Friday, the US embassy in Beirut said Iran and armed groups aligned with it may target universities in Lebanon and urged US citizens to leave while commercial flights still operated.

Israel has been waging a parallel campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon after the militant group fired at Israel in support of Iran. Early on Saturday, Israel's military said it was striking the militants' infrastructure sites in Beirut.

Iran struck a power and water plant in Kuwait on Friday, after Trump threatened to hit Iran's bridges and power plants, underlining the vulnerability of Gulf states that rely heavily on desalination plants for drinking water.

On Thursday, Trump posted images of billowing dust and smoke as US strikes hit the B1 bridge set to open this year, linking Tehran and nearby Karaj. He threatened more attacks.

"Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" he wrote.

On Friday, a drone hit a Red Crescent relief warehouse in the Choghadak area of Iran's southern province of Bushehr.

Kuwait Petroleum Corp said drones hit its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, while other attacks were reported to have been intercepted in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Missile debris landed near the Israeli port of Haifa, site of a major oil refinery.

Oil markets were closed after benchmark US crude prices jumped 11% on Thursday after Trump offered no clear sign of an imminent end to the war in a speech.

Additionally, Americans are largely pessimistic about the war in Iran.

Stacked bar chart showing poll results among Americans on the Iran war. CHART: REUTERS