US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, just hours before his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warned of catastrophic consequences, saying a “whole civilization” could be wiped out.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” he wrote in a social media post.
In the same message, Trump suggested a possible shift in tone, hinting that regime change in Iran could lead to a different outcome.
“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?” he posted on Truth Social.
“We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world,” he added.
Trump also accused Iran of decades of “extortion, corruption, and death,” noting that “47 years” of such actions would come to an end.
US Vice President JD Vance said the US “has largely accomplished its military objectives” in Iran, according to AFP. Speaking in Hungary while supporting nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of a tight election, Vance added, “Very shortly, this war will conclude… The nature of the conclusion is up to the Iranians.”
“We feel confident that we can get a response from the Iranians by 8 o’clock tonight. I hope they make the right response,” he said.
The remarks come amid reports of attacks on Kharg Island and civilian infrastructure in Iran, though the country shows no signs of backing down as the US deadline looms. Trump warned that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, its civilian infrastructure could be “decimated.”
Both Trump and Iran have indicated that a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, is not yet ready. Trump had earlier called the plan a “significant proposal” but later said it was insufficient.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran has rejected the ceasefire and insists on a definitive end to the conflict.
Under the proposal, Iran would reopen the strait while charging around $2 million per vessel, a fee to be shared with neighboring Oman, according to the New York Times. (Agency)
