When is 'Power Plant Day'? Clock ticks down on Trump's deadline to strike Iranian infrastructure

The clock is ticking on US President Donald Trump's latest threat to unleash "hell" on Iran, with the deadline set to run out at 8pm on Tuesday, US Eastern Time (10am, Wednesday AEST).

In an expletive-laden Easter Sunday post on Truth Social, the US president says key Iranian infrastructure would be struck on Tuesday if the strategically-vital Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" Trump said in a Truth Social post.

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President's expletive-laden threat

He also warned Iran to allow the free flow of ships through a strategically-vital Hormuz strait, where about one-fifth of the world's oil is shipped through.

"Open the F*****' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!" Trump said.

He signed off his Easter Sunday post with: "Praise be to Allah."

Trump did not give a precise timeline, leaving the world guessing, until he posted again on Truth Social.

"Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!"

READ MORE: US and Iran trade threats of escalation

Iran remains defiant

The White House would not confirm whether Trump was indicating a time when the US would attack Iran.

Iranian officials have been swift in responding to Trump's incendiary threats, with one regime spokesperson demanding war compensation.

In a social media post, Iran's parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed Trump's recent threats of targeting Iran's infrastructure as "reckless."

"You won't gain anything through war crimes," Qalibaf wrote on X overnight.

"The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game."

Meanwhile, Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a presidential spokesperson, wrote on X that Iran should be compensated by transit fees on ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

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US politicians rail against Trump

There has also been strong criticism of Trump's threats from both side of American politics.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer likened Trump's message to that of "an unhinged madman". He wrote on X: "Happy Easter, America. As you head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media.

Former Republican congresswoman and Trump backer Marjorie Taylor Greene also let rip on the president and his officials.

"Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump's madness," she posted on X.

"I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit."

READ MORE: Inside the mission to recover a downed American airman

CIA helped in rescue of airman

Trump's new threats against Iran came after the successful rescue of a downed US airman.

For more than one day, the weapons systems officer whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down inside Iran avoided being captured by encroaching Iranian forces.

It involved hundreds of American military and intelligence personnel, including special operations forces who carried out the successful rescue mission, and CIA operatives who mounted a deception campaign beforehand to throw off potential Iranian captors.

The fighter jet was the first American aircraft to have crashed in Iranian territory since the US and Israel launched the war, striking Iran on February 28.

Trump called the operation "an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!"

- With Associated Press

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