Donald Trump warns ‘civilization will die tonight’ as Iran surrender deadline sparks fears of escalation

Donald Trump warned that “an entire civilization will die tonight” as the deadline for Iran’s complete surrender expires on Tuesday evening, US time.

The president used his Truth Social platform to make what was seen as a final offer for peace, including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, or a dire harbinger of major military escalation.

“An entire civilization will die tonight and never be brought back. I don’t want it to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote.

“But now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change dominated by different, smarter and less radical minds, it might be something revolutionary, WHO KNOWS?

“Tonight we will learn about one of the most important moments in the world’s long and complex history. 47 years of usurpation, corruption and death will finally come to an end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

Trump had set a deadline for the opening of the Bosphorus at 20:00 Washington time on Tuesday evening.

It came as The Associated Press reported that Kharg Island, home to Iran’s key oil infrastructure, had been hit by US airstrikes.