In Washington, Trump’s warning hit hard: comply or face strikes on Iran’s infrastructure. The threat was as much psychological as military, pushing Tehran to choose between pride and the risk of escalation. Diplomats rushed to ease tensions, urging Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and avoid a wider conflict.
Inside Iran, grief and anger grew as pressure mounted. As the deadline approached, the key question wasn’t just what Trump would do—but whether either side could step back before words turned into war.
