Fox News halts for breaking Trump alert in devastating blow to president

Fox News interrupted their live coverage to issue a breaking news alert. It comes after Donald Trump issued a warning about US plans as stated at White House conference where he announced, "we are giving [Iranian regime] until tomorrow," to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He added, "After that they are going to have no bridges. They are going to have no power plants."

US correspondent Griff Jenkins paused his broadcast on Tuesday to deliver an update on Trump's recent phone call as he addressed the upcoming deadline. He commented: "Less than 12 hours away, the president threatening to wipe out Iran's entire civilisation unless they agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get nuclear development on it's programme."

He spoke to Fox News chief political Bret Baier who had just finished a phone call with the US president and delivered an urgent update.

Asked what are the odds Trump will go ahead with his threat, Bret confirmed: "At 8pm it's happening. That's what he said. He said, 'if we get to that point there is going to be an attack like they have not seen.'

The anchor continued: "He is sticking to that. He said if negotiations move forward today and there is something concrete that could change. But at this hour they're moving forward with the plans that we have."

The breaking news comes just hours after it was reported Iranians are forming human shields around power plants, as the clock ticks down on Trump's deadline in a devastating blow to the president.

Images show crowds forming human chains across bridges and around power plants after an Iranian official called on youngsters to "sacrifice their lives".

Posting on Truth Social Trump said: "A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.

"However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?

"We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end."

Iran cut off direct communications with the US in response, though talks with cease-fire mediators continue.