After President Donald Trump set a final deadline of Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST for Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping or face "hell," Israeli officials are hoping the United States will choose to continue the war rather than pursue diplomatic talks, Israeli security sources told Al-Monitor.

Trump on Tuesday escalated his earlier threat to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if the critical waterway — through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply typically passes — is not reopened by his deadline, writing on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight.” The US president has issued several extensions since a 48-hour deadline was originally set March 21.

In a sign of ongoing escalation, the US military on Tuesday struck non-energy targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, which is crucial to Iran’s energy industry and handles around 90% of the country’s oil exports. 

At the same time, reports suggest diplomacy continues, with Reuters reporting Tuesday, citing two Pakistani sources, that regional mediators continue to try to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran.