Trump condemned over threat that Iran’s ‘civilisation will die’
Trump’s Apocalyptic Warning Sparks Global Concern
US President Donald Trump’s declaration that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” unless Iran reaches a deal to halt the conflict and clear the Strait of Hormuz has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep concern over remarks implying civilian populations would face the fallout of political and military choices. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV labeled the threats as “unacceptable,” emphasizing their gravity.
Regional Mediation and Deadline Extension
As the 00:00 GMT deadline loomed, Pakistan, acting as a regional mediator, proposed a two-week delay to allow more time for diplomatic talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan wrote on X that ongoing efforts to resolve the Middle East war were “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully,” with potential for significant outcomes soon. He urged Iran to “open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.”
“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
Trump had warned Iran that if they rejected his terms, the US military could obliterate bridges and power plants within hours. Iranian officials, meanwhile, mobilized citizens to form human chains near critical infrastructure, signaling readiness to resist. The White House confirmed Trump had reviewed the extension request but withheld a response.
Escalated Military Strikes
On Tuesday, the US and Israel intensified their attacks on Iranian targets, striking military installations at Kharg Island’s oil terminal and eight railway bridges. Iran claimed its oil facilities remained operational, though casualties were reported. In Kashan, a railway bridge was damaged, killing two individuals, while sections of tracks in Karaj, near Tehran, were targeted. In Alborz province, 18 people were reportedly killed in strikes, and the Rafie-Nia synagogue in the capital was destroyed.
“I tell you constantly that we are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigour, and with increasing force,” declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video.
Israel’s military acknowledged regret over the synagogue’s destruction, attributing it to targeting a high-ranking Iranian commander. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian previously stated that over 14 million citizens had signed up to “sacrifice their lives to defend Iran.” The Revolutionary Guards vowed retaliation if “the American terrorist army crosses the red lines,” promising to strike infrastructure to disrupt oil and gas supplies in the region for years.
Strategic Pressure and Unspecified Tools
Vice-President JD Vance expressed hope for a deal but hinted at remaining options to pressure Iran. He did not specify, though the White House later clarified the reference was not to nuclear weapons. The IRGC claimed to have hit a vessel in the Gulf and a Saudi petrochemical complex, escalating tensions further.
