Iranians React to U.S. Ultimatum Over Strait of Hormuz Closure

With President Trump's deadline to unleash mass destruction on Iran just hours away on Tuesday, Iranians faced the threats with a mix of indifference, defiance, and bewilderment.

Mr. Trump has vowed to level power and desalination plants, oil installations, and bridges if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, by 8 p.m. Eastern time.

"The first thing that came to my mind is that I think Trump is under a lot of pressure, and that he has lost his mind," said Lili, who works in the arts scene in the Iranian capital, Tehran. She asked not to use her full name out of fear of repercussions for speaking to foreign media.

Mr. Trump renewed his threats against Iran's civilian infrastructure at a White House news conference on Monday, in which he hailed the American forces' rescue of two U.S. airmen whose jet was shot down over Iran on Friday.

"The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night," he warned.

Lili said she and her family had made no contingency plans at all, and they were not planning to flee Tehran. They were not stocking up on goods or bracing to hole up at home.