US President Donald Trump has threatened widespread destruction of Iran’s energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached “shortly.”
Mr Trump wrote on a social media post that “great progress is being made” in talks with Iran but bristled that if a deal is not reached and if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately reopened, the US would broaden its offensive.
The US would achieve this by “completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!)”, Mr Trump wrote.
His social media threat, along with earlier comments that suggested American troops could seize the country’s Kharg Island oil export hub, highlighted a frequent tactic.
On the one hand, Mr Trump has repeatedly said that talks with Iran are going well — though Tehran denies negotiating directly. On the other hand, he has continually ramped up his threats and sent thousands more Marines and other US troops to the Middle East.
It also remains unclear where the diplomatic effort facilitated by Pakistan stands.
Iran’s continuing attacks on its Gulf neighbours could further complicate any talks. The United Arab Emirates — which has long billed itself as a beacon of stability in a volatile region — has been hard hit in the war, and is signalling it wants Iran disarmed in any ceasefire.
Meanwhile on the ground, the conflict showed no sign of letting up: Tehran struck a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, and an oil refinery in Israel came under attack.
Israel and the US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, as the war raged with no end in sight.
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the fuel excise will be halved for three months, cutting petrol and diesel prices by 26.3 cents per litre.
The heavy vehicle road user charge will also be reduced to zero for the same period to help truck drivers absorb the global fuel shock triggered by the war in Iran.
The measures will cost taxpayers $2.55 billion and start on April 1, and are expected to reduce the price of a 65-litre tank of petrol by $19.
Take a look back at how the day unfolded.
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A perfect plan to help Putin. Now he will make more money. Once da show is over Trump will say Nato did not help and abandon it.
The way Ukraine are destroying oil terminals, I doubt that putler is making a dollar extra on oil sales.
He is. With increased exports to China, while more Western companies move production to China because of high energy costs.
“great progress is being made”
We have heard this statement many times, and contrary to the claims made by TACO, the Straits are open, just not open for US and Israeli ships.
The results of having discussions with patio umbrellas.
More likely talking to a mirror.