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Iran has put forth a 10-point peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The plan, conveyed through Pakistan, includes key elements such as an end to hostilities in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran.US President Donald Trump described the Iranian proposal as a 'significant step' but emphasized that it was 'not good enough'. He warned that if Iran does not agree to a deal, it will face severe consequences, including the destruction of its bridges and power plants. 'If they don't make a deal, they will have no bridges and no power plants,' Trump stated.The conflict, now in its second month, has led to a significant escalation of violence, with 1.2 million Lebanese people displaced due to Israeli attacks. Iran's top university and a major petrochemical plant were hit on Monday, following Trump's threat to target power plants and bridges unless Tehran agrees to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.Human rights organizations and members of the US Congress have criticized Trump for threatening to attack civilian targets, which is considered a war crime. The situation remains dire as the deadline set by Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz approaches, with Tehran rejecting the ultimatum and threatening to retaliate.

As the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches, Iranians are bracing for a potential catastrophe. With over 90 million people facing uncertainty, daily life in Iran could drastically change by Wednesday.Trump has issued ominous warnings, stating that if Iran does not comply, its electricity, bridges, and other critical infrastructure will be targeted, despite this violating international law. Such actions could lead to the destruction of a whole civilisation, as Trump previously mentioned.In the hours leading up to the 8pm US Eastern Time (23:00 GMT) deadline, residents of Tehran express their fears. A Tehran resident noted, “We all know he’s crazy enough to do it. He doesn’t care as long as he believes it serves his interest.” This sentiment reflects the anxiety gripping the nation as the threat of an attack looms.Preparations for potential blackouts and shortages are underway. Iranians are charging phones and power banks, using household appliances, and stocking up on essentials like bread, flour, and bottled water. The price of bottled water has surged due to chronic inflation and the ongoing conflict.The impact on vulnerable populations, including the sick and disabled, could be severe. Long-lasting power cuts would hinder access to essential medicines and medical equipment, exacerbating the crisis.Market prices for electrical devices and generators have skyrocketed, with many struggling to afford these necessities. A resident from the northern province of Gilan shared that he purchased a generator to power essential items, spending nearly all his earnings.Despite the threats, there is some optimism about Iran’s decentralised power distribution system potentially mitigating damage. The Ministry of Energy assured the public that they are prepared for worst-case scenarios and urged calm.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced readiness to expand its target list and attack critical infrastructure in neighbouring countries if the threatened attacks proceed. Iranian politicians, including former President Hassan Rouhani, have condemned Trump’s statements, highlighting Iran’s resilience and cultural heritage.As the situation unfolds, protests and demonstrations are taking place across the country. State-backed motorcades are roaming the streets of Tehran, playing revolutionary songs, while armed checkpoints maintain control over highways and public spaces.

The United States and China have settled into a stable economic situation, with the US able to access Chinese rare earth minerals and maintain substantial tariffs on Chinese goods. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the goal of the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is to maintain this stability.Greer emphasized that the US is not seeking massive confrontation with China, but rather a stable relationship that allows for continued access to critical minerals. The two countries have been discussing issues related to rare earths, including minerals that pass through third countries before reaching the US.The Trump-Xi summit, postponed from March to mid-May due to the US-Israel war on Iran, will also address the formation of a board of trade mechanism to determine sustainable trade between the two countries. Additionally, there have been discussions about a possible board of investment to address discrete issues related to investments.The US is also working on plurilateral agreements to boost alternative supplies of critical minerals, but these need price floor mechanisms to protect production from potential future predatory price cuts by China. Greer noted that the US and China are working to resolve the rare earths issue at the ministerial and staff levels, hoping to avoid bringing it up at the leaders' meeting.

In a powerful display of dissent, hundreds of women took to the streets of Havana, Cuba's capital, to protest the de facto oil blockade imposed by the United States. The demonstration, which took place on what would have been the 96th birthday of Vilma Espin, a leader in the Cuban Revolution, saw protesters carrying banners and signs with the slogan 'Tumba el bloqueo' or 'Tear down the blockade'. The protesters are demanding an end to the US campaign that they say has caused widespread suffering and economic hardship.The protest was led by top officials in Cuba's communist government, including Deputy Prime Minister Ines Maria Chapman and Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal. Vidal denounced the US campaign as a form of collective punishment, stating that 'This policy of abuse has to stop. The Cuban people don't deserve this. It's the most comprehensive, all-encompassing, and longest-running system of coercive measures ever imposed against an entire country.'The US blockade has had a significant impact on Cuba's energy supply, with the country suffering at least two island-wide blackouts in the last month. The blockade has also led to food spoilage, water pumps ceasing to function, and medical patients going untreated. Russia has announced plans to send a second oil tanker to Cuba in defiance of the US blockade.The protest comes as the US and Cuba are in negotiations to lift the recent oil blockade. Deputy Foreign Minister Vidal stated that the talks are in a 'very preliminary' phase. The US blockade has been in place since the 1960s, but the current 'maximum pressure' campaign began under US President Donald Trump in his first term as president.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has reached a critical point, with intensified airstrikes on Iranian targets, including universities and oil facilities. US President Donald Trump has warned of the “complete demolition” of Iran’s key infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by a looming deadline.Iran’s military has dismissed Trump’s threats as “delusional”, saying they cannot mask what it described as US “disgrace and humiliation” in the region. Iranian missiles and drones continue to target sites across the Gulf region.US ultimatum: Trump has issued a strict deadline, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s power plants and bridges by Tuesday evening (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.Iran rejects pause offer: Iran has rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would give the US and Israel time to regroup and launch further attacks. Instead, Iranian officials have put forward a 10-point proposal calling for a comprehensive and permanent end to the war.The conflict has also spread to other countries in the region, with Saudi Arabia intercepting up to 18 drones over the past few hours and Bahrain closing an important bridge linking the island nation to Saudi Arabia due to fears of attacks from Iran.The United Nations has reported that more than 1.1 million people have now been registered as displaced in Lebanon as Israel continues its ground invasion in the country’s south.

Iranian officials have urged young people to form human chains around the country's power plants, as tensions escalate with the US and Israel. The call to action comes as US President Donald Trump threatens massive strikes on civilian infrastructure if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Iranian media showed people gathering outside electricity stations, waving Iranian flags and holding up banners. In Dezful, people gathered on a 1,700-year-old bridge. The country's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said 14 million people had signed up to fight for their country and declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives in defence of Iran.The US and Israel carried out waves of preparatory strikes that appeared to knock off course the chances of a last-minute ceasefire deal before Trump's 8pm ET (1am BST) deadline for Iran to reopen the strait. Attacks on civilian infrastructure amount to war crimes, legal experts say.Alireza Rahimi, identified by Iranian state television as the secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, issued a video message calling on young people to form human chains around power plants. He asked them to gather on Tuesday at 2pm around the power plants, which he described as national assets and capital.Iran has formed human-chain demonstrations, also known as human shields, in the past around its nuclear sites at times of heightened tensions with the west. A man in Tehran said his household had collected basic necessities and equipment to charge their mobile phones, in preparation to flee the capital if necessary.The indirect negotiations between the US and Iran are continuing, largely by passing messages through Pakistan. However, the intermediaries said they feared that Israel was bombing the chances of reaching an agreement.

The threat of bombing Iran back to the 'stone ages' by US President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the morality, legality, and utility of such a campaign. In 2006, Israel bombed Lebanon's Jiyeh power station, causing a massive oil spill and significant damage. However, this did not prevent Hezbollah from rearming and continuing to fight. Similarly, Russia's sustained bombardment of Ukraine has not forced the country to concede. History has shown that bombing campaigns, including the British 'area bombing' of Germany in World War II and the US Rolling Thunder campaign against North Vietnam, have not always achieved their desired outcomes. Experts argue that bombing Iran's infrastructure would not change the regime's strategic calculus and would likely give the Iranian government a powerful propaganda tool. The US lacks a credible military option to force Iran into submission, and pressure alone may not be enough to break Tehran. The effectiveness of bombing campaigns in achieving war objectives is highly contested. The article cites the example of the British bomber command's promise to bring about the collapse of Germany within four months, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. Trump's threat to bomb Iran's infrastructure has been met with skepticism by experts, who argue that it is unlikely to achieve its desired outcome and may instead escalate the situation.

The recent profanity-laden warning from US President Donald Trump to Iran has sparked renewed concerns about his behavior and the potential consequences of his actions. Trump's threats to carry out mass bombing of civilian infrastructure have been widely criticized, with many calling for his removal from office.One possible route for removal is the 25th amendment, which has been invoked by various politicians, including Senator Chris Murphy. However, the US system makes it incredibly difficult to remove a president, and it is unclear whether this method will be effective.The author suggests that if the 25th amendment cannot be used, an unconventional solution could be to replace Trump with an AI president. While AI is problematic, the author argues that it could be an upgrade from Trump's current behavior.The article also highlights the broader issues with the US political system, including the difficulty of removing incumbent politicians and the concerns about the mental acuity of some politicians, including Trump and Senator Dianne Feinstein.Ultimately, the author concludes that something needs to be done to address Trump's behavior and the potential consequences of his actions. Whether through the 25th amendment or an unconventional solution like an AI president, the author argues that the situation requires urgent attention.

Former US President Donald Trump has made a contentious statement regarding Iran, claiming that Iranians are pleading with the United States to continue military action against their country. The assertion has been met with skepticism and criticism from various quarters, with many questioning the accuracy of Trump's claim. The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with both countries having a complex and often strained relationship. Trump's comments have sparked concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on regional stability.