SriLanka, April 7 -- US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could be "taken out in one night" if ongoing negotiations collapse, as tensions escalate ahead of a key deadline.

Speaking at a press conference late Monday, Trump issued a stark threat, saying that "the entire country could be taken out in one night and that night might be tomorrow night".

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signalled further escalation, saying the scale of military action was increasing. "Today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one," he said. "Tomorrow, even more than today."

The warning comes as Washington's deadline for Tehran expires on Tuesday night, with the US demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has threatened str...