Trump threatens Iran’s energy grid if peace deal isn’t made soon

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a threat to destroy Iran’s entire energy infrastructure Monday, if a peace deal isn’t struck soon between the warring countries.

The ongoing exchange of attacks continues to threaten global supplies like oil and natural gas, as Iran maintains a grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump claimed that negotiations with Iran were going well, but officials in Tehran have responded, arguing that U.S.-Israeli backed proposals aren’t “realistic.”

“I would only say that we’re doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran, because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up,” said Trump at Air Force One on Sunday. “Whether it’s the B-2 bombers or just terminating, as an example, the Iran nuclear deal done by Barack Hussein Obama.”

Trump’s optimism Sunday changed as he turned up the threats the next day on social media, saying if the strait doesn’t open up for everybody, there would be widespread destruction of Iran’s energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants.

The U.S. and Israel kept up their attacks Monday, which included airstrikes into Lebanon.

The United Nations reported that three of its peacekeepers were killed in the last 24 hours.

WATCH MORE: Israel attacks nuclear facilities, Iran threatens retaliation

Meanwhile, Iran struck a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, as well as an oil refinery in Israel.

Trump’s press secretary offered an update Monday afternoon.

“What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “As a result, President Trump issued a 10 day pause to postpone planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.”

“This remains a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regime to make a good deal with the United States, permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism,” said Leavitt.

Also on Monday, Global Affairs Canada issued an update regarding Canadian expats in the Middle East.

Commercial flights are gradually resuming and more than 20,000 Canadians have returned to Canada this month.

They also said they’ve arranged bus services to Egypt for Canadians in Israel as well.

READ MORE: Canadian government announces more sanctions against Iran