Trump warns Iran’s “whole civilization will die” unless it reaches urgent deal before US-imposed deadline expires.
US President Donald Trump has issued an unusually stark warning to Iran, saying the country’s “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if its leadership fails to take what he described as “something revolutionarily” decisive action.
In a series of statements over the weekend and Monday, Trump said Iran had until Tuesday at 8pm Eastern Time (1am West Africa Time) to reach a deal, amid escalating tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The US president has demanded that Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, warning that failure to comply could result in what he described as “hell.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform just hours before the deadline, Trump wrote:
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
He further suggested the possibility of political transformation in Iran, adding:
“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?”
Trump added that the moment could be pivotal in global history, stating:
“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.”
On Monday, the US president escalated his rhetoric further, threatening to target Iran’s infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if Tehran failed to comply with his ultimatum.
Following the warning, multiple strikes on bridges and railway infrastructure were reported in parts of Iran. Iranian state media, IRNA, reported a strike in Kashan city that killed two people and injured three others.
Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had advised residents in Iran to avoid rail transport and stay away from railway infrastructure for 12 hours, citing security concerns.
The US has also reportedly carried out strikes on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub through which nearly all of the country’s crude shipments pass.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Tehran has rejected calls for a ceasefire, insisting instead on the necessity of a permanent end to hostilities.