LIVE | Oil prices rise and stock markets post slight gain after Trump's latest threat against Iran
As the war in the Middle East entered its sixth week, the U.S. president warned Tehran that its civilian infrastructure would be destroyed if it did not allow ships to pass through the sea lane through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil and gas transits.
An explosion near Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7, 2026.
Oil prices rose Tuesday, while stocks posted a slight, if cautious, advance as investors assessed the latest deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or it would be "decimated."
As the Middle East war entered its sixth week, the U.S. president warned Tehran that its civilian infrastructure would be destroyed if it did not allow ships to pass through the sea lane through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil and gas transits.
These statements came as he and the Islamic republic claimed that the proposal, promoted by international mediators, for a 45-day ceasefire was not yet ready.
Trump told a news conference that "the entire country" of Iran "could be annihilated in a single night, and that night could be as early as tomorrow," if his ultimatum to reopen the strait by 00:00 GMT on Wednesday was not met.
The times correspond to Eastern Standard Time.
Critical stage.
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, which mediates between Iran and the United States, said Tuesday that efforts to end the war were approaching a "critical" stage.
Tehran synagogue destroyed.
Joint U.S.-Israeli attacks early Tuesday morning "completely destroyed" the Rafi-Nia synagogue in Tehran, local media reported.
Iran has a small Jewish community, most of whom fled after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Israel and Iran exchange fire
Explosions were heard in some areas of Tehran and in the nearby city of Karaj, Iranian media reported, while the Israeli military announced that it was carrying out a "wave" of airstrikes against Iran.
"A few moments ago explosions were heard in some areas of Tehran and Karaj," local media Fars and Mehr reported on Telegram.
The Israeli military also announced the activation of its air defenses to respond to the missiles fired by Iran.
Two killed in Iraqi Kurdistan
A drone "coming from Iran" killed a couple in Iraqi Kurdistan after crashing into their home, local officials said.
Elsewhere, two explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts advisers to the U.S.-led anti-jihadist coalition, in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, in the north of the country, an AFP journalist reported.
Hours earlier, air defense systems shot down four missiles headed toward the U.S. consulate in Erbil, a security source told AFP.
Iran on Trump's threats
After U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his threats to raze Iran's infrastructure, an Iranian military spokesman said "rude and arrogant rhetoric" was not influencing his actions.
Several explosions in Iran
According to Iran's Mehr news agency, as well as the Shargh and Ham-Mihan newspapers, the Iranian capital was hit by several explosions on Tuesday.
An AFP reporter confirmed that several explosions were heard coming from the north of the city.
Oil prices rise and stock markets post slight gain after Trump's latest threat against Iran
Oil prices rose Tuesday, while stocks posted a slight, albeit cautious, gain as investors assessed the latest deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or it would be "decimated."
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