Key day in the Iran crisis: Pakistan calls for an agreement while the clock runs on Trump's ultimatum

At two in the morning (Spanish peninsular time) the ultimatum imposed by Donald Trump on Iran expires. The US president demands from the Islamic Republic the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the war under his conditions. If not complied with, Iran could suffer the consequences of a devastating attack announced by Trump's threats, who has warned this Tuesday through his social network to Tehran that “an entire civilization could die tonight”.

Meanwhile, and late this afternoon, the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has requested Trump to extend that ultimatum by two additional weeks, when only a few hours remain until it expires. The American leader has assured that he has already received the offer and that at this moment "intense negotiations" are being held with Tehran.

Possible nuclear attack ruled out

Trump has offered Iran a clear deadline in exchange for allowing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and accepting the security conditions imposed by Washington. Likewise, he has assured that, if not complied with before 8:00 PM Whashington time, attacks could be launched against strategic infrastructures, including power plants, bridges and ports, with possible consequences for the civilian population and the regional economy, although a possible attack with nuclear weaponry has been ruled out.

In recent hours, Whashington has launched selective attacks against military targets on Kharg Island, used by Iran for air defense and logistics. The White House has assured that these operations do not represent a general strategy change, but an attempt to pressure Iran before the ultimatum's expiration.

In view of this, the permanent ambassador of Iran to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has warned this Tuesday before the Security Council that Trump's threats could result in war crimes and crimes against humanity, and has defended his country's right to respond to repeated aggressions.

Iravani has stated that Trump's explicit threat to attack Iran's civilian infrastructure constitutes a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law and that, if carried out, the United States would assume full responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

China and Russia veto a UN resolution to stop Iran's attacks

In the same session, the Iranian ambassador has also thanked China and Russia for vetoing the resolution that called for ceasing attacks on Iran. And it is that, the UN Security Council has voted this Tuesday on a resolution that sought to coordinate efforts to guarantee the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and demand Iran the immediate cessation of attacks against commercial vessels.

The text, presented by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar, proposed proportional defensive measures, including escorts for merchant and commercial vessels, and asked Iran to cease the attacks.

However, China and Russia, permanent members of the Council with veto power, have voted against the resolution. The final result has been eleven votes in favor and two abstentions, leaving without international support a coordinated mechanism to protect commercial navigation.

More than 30 countries evaluate plans for international coalition

Meanwhile, on the same day, representatives from more than 30 countries have met virtually, convened by the United Kingdom, to coordinate measures to ensure safe access to the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.

The meeting, coordinated from the British Armed Forces Headquarters in Northwood, has explored “appropriate measures for an international coalition” in the strait, according to the British Ministry of Defence in its daily report on the social network X. The initiative seeks to ensure the freedom of navigation and protect global trade.

Leo XIV calls Trump's threat "unacceptable"

Among the most critical voices regarding the global scenario is Pope Leo XIV, who has described this Tuesday as “unacceptable” Trump's threat against Iran and has asked to do everything possible to affirm that war is not wanted, but peace.

“There are very many people, children, elderly, completely innocent who would be affected if this threat became reality,” he stated in declarations from Castelgandolfo while calling to pray and make their voice heard before U.S. legislators to avoid the conflict.

But he is not the only one who has raised his voice against the situation in the Middle East. In Spain, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed through a message on his official profile on the social network X that he reiterates a call for "an immediate ceasefire" in the Middle East. "Prolonging this war will only worsen the humanitarian cost and will have a catastrophic economic impact for everyone," he asserted.

In the same vein, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has appealed for "common sense" through a brief statement on the same social network. "In delicate moments, we need common sense, not brutality. The West is not this," remarked the president of the 'populars'.

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a key artery for global energy trade, and any threat to navigation generates immediate international concern. The price of oil has touched this Tuesday 115 dollars a barrel, due to uncertainty about navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil transits.

The expiration of Trump's ultimatum marks a critical moment. U.S. authorities have warned that any non-compliance could result in broader military actions, while Iran maintains its firm position and reinforces the protection of its strategic infrastructures.

Tension in the Middle East continues to escalate, with significant risks for the global economy, maritime security, and regional stability, in a scenario where China and Russia block international resolutions that limit Iran's freedom of action.