"The whole country could be eliminated in a single night, and that night could very well be tomorrow (Tuesday)," said Donald Trump on Monday. And there are less than 24 hours left for the Republican's ultimatum to expire, who declared himself willing to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if the Islamic Republic does not unblock Hormuz, a maritime route in the Gulf through which 20% of the world's oil usually transits, before 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday in Washington (12:00 a.m. GMT on Wednesday).
Meanwhile, Tehran has been attacked on Tuesday night in a joint offensive by the United States and Israel, and the Israeli army "detected missiles launched from Iran" that have been intercepted.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has intercepted seven ballistic missiles launched towards the east of the country, whose remnants fell "near electrical infrastructures," and a drone "from Iran" caused the death of a couple when it hit their home in Iraqi Kurdistan.
IEA says we are facing an energy crisis worse than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined
The Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, is "very pessimistic" about the current energy crisis, which is worse than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined, and fears a "black" April if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened during this month, reports Efe.
In an interview published on Tuesday in the French newspaper Le Figaro, Birol insists that although the IEA is working on different lines, such as measures to save oil and gas and could decide to release a more significant part of its strategic reserves to the market, "the only real solution" is "the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz." "As long as it remains closed, the world economy will continue to face very great difficulties," he adds.
A series of explosions shake Tehran
A series of explosions were felt on Tuesday in the Iranian capital, Tehran, according to the Mehr news agency and the Shargh and Ham Mihan newspapers, within the framework of the 39th day of the war between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
An AFP journalist in the city confirmed hearing multiple detonations coming from the north of Tehran.
China hopes that the parties in the war with Iran "seize the opportunity for peace" and resume dialogue
China hopes that the parties involved seize the opportunity for peace and overcome their differences through dialogue, said a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, when asked about a ceasefire proposal from the United States, mediated by Pakistan, which was rejected by Iran, reports Reuters.
China welcomes all efforts that promote peace and supports Pakistan's active mediation initiatives, said Mao Ning, a ministry spokesperson, during a regular press conference.
Reaching a ceasefire as soon as possible and resuming dialogue is the common desire of the international community, Mao pointed out. China is willing to play a constructive role, he added.
Israel confirms that it also bombed the petrochemical plant in Shiraz, Iran on Monday
The Israeli Army confirmed on Tuesday that it bombed a petrochemical complex in Shiraz (southern Iran) the previous day, in addition to the attack carried out against the Pars Sur petrochemical plant (which houses the world's largest natural gas reserves), as reported by Efe.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked an additional petrochemical complex in Shiraz. One of the last places used to produce critical chemicals for explosives and other materials to develop ballistic missiles," the military said in a statement.
The Israeli army claims that nitric acid, a material used for the production of explosives or missile components, was being produced at the facilities.
The Embassy in Beirut advises against traveling to Lebanon and leaving the country "on the first available commercial flights"
The Spanish Embassy in Beirut has advised against traveling to Lebanon "given the current situation in different areas of the country," while recommending that citizens present in these places leave "on the first available commercial flights" while the airport remains operational, reports Efe.
Likewise, the Embassy has also advised to "avoid non-essential travel," especially to southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern neighborhoods of Beirut (Dahiye).
In this context, it has been noted that Lebanon's airspace remains open and Beirut Airport "is operational." Through a message on 'X', it has been indicated that the Middle East Airlines (MEA) "continues to operate flights to Europe."
The Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan speaks of a "critical" stage in efforts to end the war
The Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan, a mediator between Iran and the United States, estimated on Tuesday that exchanges aimed at ending hostilities are approaching "a critical stage," as reported by Afp.
Israel destroys a mosque in Lebanon to "eliminate" alleged Hezbollah members
The Israeli army reported on Tuesday that it attacked and destroyed a mosque in southern Lebanon, claiming that members of the Hezbollah Shiite militia's anti-tank unit were allegedly hiding in the building, reports Efe.
The IDF located another "terrorist" who was firing from a building against its forces in the southern part of the cedar country, territory invaded by Israel in the context of this new war with Iran and Hezbollah for "security reasons," and who was also killed.
The Israeli army urges Iranians not to take the train until Tuesday night for their "safety"
The Israeli army urged Iranians on Tuesday morning to refrain from traveling by train until 5:30 p.m. GMT, in a message posted on X suggesting possible attacks against the railway network in Iran, as reported by Afp.
A synagogue in Tehran "completely destroyed" in a bombing
A synagogue in Tehran has been "completely destroyed" during Israeli-American attacks early Tuesday morning, reported the Mehr news agency and the Shargh newspaper on the 39th day of the war against Israel and the United States. "According to preliminary information, the Rafi-Nia synagogue (...) was completely destroyed during this morning's attacks," writes Shargh.
Judaism is one of the official religions in Iran, which has a small Jewish community, much of which fled the country after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Iranian attacks hit a petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia
Nocturnal attacks against Saudi Arabia affected a petrochemical complex located in an extensive industrial area of the eastern city of Jubail, an on-the-ground source informed AFP on Tuesday, hours after similar bombings against facilities in Iran.
Jubail, in eastern Saudi Arabia, is home to one of the largest industrial centers in the world, where steel, gasoline, petrochemical products, lubricating oils, and chemical fertilizers are produced.
The price of oil rose again while major stock exchanges operate with caution, awaiting the final hours of the ultimatum that US President Donald Trump gave to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under the threat of unleashing "hell" in the country if not, reports Efe.
Meanwhile, bombings continue throughout the region, with attacks against Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries.
Japanese detainee released in Tehran
A Japanese citizen detained in Iran, identified "presumably" as the head of the Tehran office of the Japanese public television network NHK, "has been released," reported the Kyodo news agency on Tuesday, citing government sources, as reported by Afp.
Tokyo had already announced at the end of March the release of a second Japanese citizen detained by Tehran. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Tuesday that she is arranging a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian.