In the Middle East, preparations have begun for an imminent apocalypse in Iran

Leaders of several Western and Saudi companies based in Riyadh have urged employees not to return to offices until the end of this week amid U.S. President Donald Trump's warning of an imminent apocalypse in Iran.

This was reported by Reuters, citing sources.

The decision to extend remote work for employees was made by the leaders of certain companies whose offices are located in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. These firms, the agency's sources specified, are based in the Faisaliah, Business Gate, and Laysen Valley skyscrapers.

The district also houses offices of American tech giants: Apple and Microsoft corporations. A number of major Middle Eastern organizations are also based there, including Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund — the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The sources declined to disclose which specific companies' leaders decided to extend remote work for their employees.

Earlier, Trump threatened Iran with "hell" if the country's authorities do not unblock the Strait of Hormuz by the end of Tuesday, April 7. Otherwise, "an entire Iranian civilization will be destroyed in the near future," the U.S. president warned. In response, Tehran sent Washington its plan for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Middle East; however, the American capital deemed the proposal insufficient.