Trump’s message to Iran on deadline day: ‘A whole civilization will die tonight’
WASHINGTON— President Trump warned Tuesday night that “an entire civilization will die” if Iran does not meet a deadline to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising tensions as diplomatic talks continue to end the war.
“An entire civilization I will die tonight“I don’t want this to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday morning.
This extraordinary threat signaled Trump’s willingness to authorize US military strikes against Iran’s infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if the US and Tehran fail to reach a ceasefire agreement by a Trump-imposed deadline of 5pm PDT on Tuesday.
Trump has a history of setting deadlines on diplomatic disputes, only to quietly back down when they pass without resolution. But Trump’s warning on Tuesday stood out because he used apocalyptic language that went far beyond his previous ultimatums.
The threat came a day after Trump said the ceasefire offer conveyed by mediators in the Middle East before the deadline was inadequate. He said the offer was “not good enough” but acknowledged it was an “important step” in negotiations.
Trump declined to elaborate on the ceasefire talks on Monday but made clear that a key part of the talks hinged on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes daily.
On Tuesday morning, Iranian leaders remained defiant ahead of the looming deadline.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote to X: “More than 14 million proud Iranians have registered so far.” sacrifice their lives To defend Iran.”
“I too was, am and will remain dedicated to giving my life for Iran,” Pezeshkian wrote ahead of the looming deadline.
Trump on Monday mulled seizing control of the waterway and charging for passage, as well as seizing control of Iranian oil.
“If it were up to me, I’d take the oil, hide the oil, and make a lot of money,” Trump told reporters at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House.
Iranian officials rejected the ceasefire offer on Monday, calling America’s demands “both extremely excessive, unusual and unreasonable.”
According to the Associated Press, ceasefire proposals were conveyed through mediators from Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye.
After the Iranians rejected America’s offer, Trump said at a press conference on Monday that the US military was ready to strike Iran’s vital infrastructure if a deal was not reached.
The president also rejected questions that targeting infrastructure would constitute a war crime because it would affect civilians.
“Do you know what a war crime is? Allowing a sick country with crazy leadership to have nuclear weapons,” Trump said.
