U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Tuesday, stating that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if Tehran does not comply with his demands, including reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The warning, posted on Truth Social, comes just hours before Trump’s 8 p.m. Eastern (midnight GMT) deadline.
This escalation follows weeks of heightened U.S.–Israel military action against Iran, reportedly including strikes on senior Iranian leadership and infrastructure. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. and allied assets across the Middle East.
Legal experts have condemned Trump’s threat to target civilian infrastructure, warning that such actions would constitute war crimes under international law. Despite the pressure, Iran remains defiant, vowing to retaliate against any U.S. escalation.
The situation has triggered global concern, particularly over energy supply, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for oil exports. Markets are already reacting to the heightened geopolitical tensions.
Analysts note that the coming hours are crucial, with the world watching whether diplomacy can prevail or whether further military escalation is imminent.
