US Attacks Iranian Military Sites Ahead of Trump's Ultimatum, Middle East Tensions Rise

The US military launched attacks on multiple Iranian military facilities 12 hours before President Donald Trump's stern ultimatum demanding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Countries across the Middle East entered a state of high alert. Saudi Arabian officials stated that air defense systems had intercepted 18 drone incursions within hours. Israel was on high alert for attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that attacks had been launched against infrastructure, including railways and bridges, within Iran. The military stated that Israeli forces attacked 8 bridges in Iran. Images showed the targets were mostly in northwestern Iran. The Wall Street Journal, citing officials, reported that the US military attacked over 50 military positions on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. Additionally, diplomatic efforts for a 45-day ceasefire were ongoing but without progress. Kharg Island, Iran's oil export hub. (CNA graphic) Before the deadline of 8 PM ET on the 7th, Trump posted on Truth Social, "An entire civilization will be destroyed tonight, never to recover. Don't want to see it happen, but it very well might." Earlier, Iranian officials called on 14 million young people nationwide to form a human chain to protect the light. As the US military attacked Iranian military positions before the deadline, the White House, Department of War, and CIA entered intensive operations. On the morning of the 7th, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine were scheduled to hold a press conference on the rescue efforts for a missing Iranian pilot, but the Pentagon canceled it. US and Iranian leaders rapidly escalated the situation with phrases like "civilization destroyed" and "human chain resistance" before Trump's deadline for Iran to open the strait and negotiate a ceasefire. The UN Security Council was expected to convene on the morning of the 7th to discuss a resolution proposed by Bahrain regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, possibly removing strong language demanding Iran open the strait through joint military action, hoping to de-escalate the potentially uncontrollable Persian Gulf war situation. (Editor: Xu Chongzhe) 1150407