Iran brands Trump 'unstable' and 'delusional' after furious threat

Iran has branded Donald Trump an 'unstable, delusional figure' after he threatened to unleash hell on Tehran if it continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.

The US President described Tuesday as 'power plant day' and told the regime to reopen the passageway or face 'living in hell'.

Iran has vowed to continue blocking the strait, which has seen oil and gas prices across the globe surge dramatically.

The regime's culture minister said Mr Trump is an 'unstable, delusional figure'.

Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri added: 'Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions.' 

Earlier on Sunday, images emerged from Tehran of a huge banner on the side of a building depicting Iranian soldiers carrying a netted bag filled with US military vehicles.

Written above the image are the chilling words: 'The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground'. 

It comes after Trump ramped up pressure on Iran, warning that Hell will rain down on them if a deal is not reached regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

16:57

Iran brands Trump an 'unstable, delusional figure'

Iran's culture minister has branded Donald Trump an 'unstable, delusional figure'.

Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri said: 'Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions.'

Trump earlier warned he would strike the regime's power plants and bridges this Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to marine traffic.

In an angry Truth Social post, Trump promised the Iranians would be 'living in Hell' if the waterway isn’t opened.

'It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze,' said Salihi-Amiri.

He said the Strait of Hormuz is 'open to the world but closed to Iran’s enemies.'

13:58

'The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground'

Images have emerged from Tehran of a huge banner on the side of a building depicting Iranian soldiers carrying a netted bag filled with US military vehicles.

Written above the image are the chilling words: 'The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground'.

It comes after Trump ramped up pressure on Iran, warning that Hell will rain down on them if a deal is not reached regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

07:50

WATCH: Second US airman extracted in 'miraculous' rescue mission

23:40

Oil prices spike amid Trump's threats

Crude oil prices jumped sharply early on Monday after Donald Trump issued fresh, heightened threats against Iran and its infrastructure.

The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose more than 2 per cent to $111.25. US crude oil prices were up nearly 3 per cent to $114.54 a barrel.

The last time front-month prices for US crude oil prices were above $115 a barrel was the summer of 2022, in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and during a period of high inflation across the globe.

Trump on social media vowed to hit Iran’s power plants and bridges and said the country would be 'living in Hell' if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isn’t opened by Tuesday.

22:08

Iranian missiles and drones reported over Jordan

Jordan's military says it has shot down two drones fired from Iran over its territory in the past 24 hours.

The Public Security Directorate said no injuries had been reported, but that some damage was inflicted.

21:43

Four civilians trapped under rubble in Israel after Iranian strike

Four people are feared to be trapped under rubble at the site of an Iranian missile blast in Haifa, northern Israel.

Nine people were injured by the strike and taken to two hospitals, with an 82-year-old man in a serious condition.

Israeli commander Shai Klapper said: 'This complex scene requires advanced rescue operations.

'The Home Front Command's search and rescue units, together with emergency organisations, have high expertise in operations of this kind.

'We intend to act with determination, professionalism, and thoroughness until the trapped are found.'

21:18

Iranians 'want us' to destroy civilian infrastructure, Trump claims

Donald Trump has claimed the Iranian population wants the US to damage civilian infrastructure as he continues to ramp up threats against the regime.

Asked if he is concerned that the Iranian population could suffer if civilian infrastructure is hit, Trump told the Wall Street Journal: 'No, they want us to do it,' adding Iranians are 'living in hell'.

The US President also told the newspaper Iran would 'lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country' if they don't agree a deal with him.

Trump's latest threat comes just hours after he issued a foul-mouthed rant on social media, bizarrely ending the post with the phrase: 'Praise be to Allah.'

He wrote in a Truth Social post earlier on Sunday morning: 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

'There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.'

20:57

UNIFIL warns Israel and Hezbollah its troops could return fire

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said attacks by Israel and Hezbollah near its positions 'could potentially draw return fire'.

In a statement, UNIFIL said it was 'extremely concerned' about attacks from both sides 'carried out from near our positions, which could potentially draw return fire'.

It urged them to 'put down their weapons and work seriously toward a ceasefire'.

20:29

Iranian negotiators have ‘immunity from death,’ says Trump

Donald Trump claimed Iran's negotiators have 'immunity from death'.

In an interview with Fox News, the US President said: 'We’ve given them immunity from death. And we’ve told the people that we’re dealing with, who are the top people.'

Mr Trump said the regime has already conceded on giving up its nuclear weapons.

'They’re not even negotiating that point, it’s so easy. That’s already been conceded. Most of the points are conceded.'

20:02

WATCH: Iranian missile hits residential building in Haifa

Drone footage shows search-and-rescue efforts of teams at scene, looking for survivors after a residential building was hit by an Iranian missile in Israel's northern city of Haifa on Sunday.

Israeli paramedics said they treated nine patients, including an elderly man in a serious condition who was injured by a heavy object, and other casualties in mild condition with shrapnel and blast injuries.

Additional medics were providing treatment to four people suffering from anxiety.

19:50

Oman says it has discussed reopening of Strait of Hormuz with Iran

Oman has said it has spoken with Iran about the options for 'ensuring the smooth flow of transit' through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Middle Eastern nation, which has acted as a mediator for Iran and the US in the past, said 'experts presented a number of visions and proposals' at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it is ready to 'join any American-led effort' to 'secure navigation' in the strait, according to presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.

19:20

Step by step, the amazing details of what really happened on the 'most daring US special forces op in history' to rescue downed airman from Iran

Hunkered down in a mountain-top ravine, armed only with a pistol, and with gun-toting tribesmen bearing down on him, the US Airforce colonel probably had slim hopes for his survival.

However, after what is being called the 'most daring' Special Forces rescue operation in US history, he is now safely out of Iran.

It took hundreds of Special Forces commandos, a CIA drone operation, and some lateral thinking to avert last-minute disaster.

Step-by-step, this is how the rescue operation unfolded.

• Read more below:

Step by step, how US rescued airman with 'most daring operation ever'
Hunkered down in a mountain-top ravine, armed only with a pistol, and with gun-toting tribesmen bearing down on him, the US Airforce colonel probably had slim hopes for his survival.