Macron urges halt to strikes on energy sites in call with Saudi crown prince

US President Donald Trump said his ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants would “work very well,” in an interview with Israel’s Channel 13.

“You will soon see what will happen with the ultimatum on the power plants — the result will be very good,” Trump said.

“There will be total destruction of Iran and it’s going to work very well,” he added.

Trump also criticized NATO countries, saying they are “not doing anything” and that Iran is now receiving “the punishment it deserves.”

Explosions hit multiple cities in southern Iran on Sunday evening, eyewitnesses told Iran International.

In Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, witnesses said strong shaking accompanied several explosions.

In nearby Bandar Khamir, witnesses reported an explosion, thick smoke and the closure of the city’s entrances and exits.

In Bushehr, witnesses said they heard four powerful explosions on Sunday night.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he could not confirm whether missiles fired toward Diego Garcia were Iranian intercontinental ballistic missiles and that the alliance is still assessing the situation.

“We cannot confirm that at the moment, so we’re looking into that,” Rutte said in an interview with CBS News.

“We are still assessing, but if it is true, it means they already have that capability. If it is not true, we know they are very close to having that capability,” he added.

He said US President Donald Trump’s efforts to degrade Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities were “crucial" for global security.

Rutte warned that Iran obtaining such capabilities would pose “a direct threat … to Israel, to the region, to Europe, to the stability in the world.”

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said a potential US special forces operation to secure Iran’s enriched uranium would be “very challenging.”

“I guess there will be a number of decoys … materials over there, which would make it very difficult,” Grossi said in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible … but it would be very challenging operation for sure,” he added.

US Senator Lindsey Graham urged President Donald Trump to continue the war against Iran for several more weeks and take control of Kharg Island.

“So here’s what I tell President Trump, keep it up for a few more weeks. Take Kharg Island … control that island,” Graham said in an interview with Fox News.

“(Trump) is closer than ever to delivering real freedom and lasting peace to the Iranian people,” he added in a post on X.