Trump condemned over threat that Iran’s ‘civilisation will die’
Trump Warns of Civilization’s Collapse as Iran Crisis Intensifies
Global leaders, including the UN Secretary-General and the Pope, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his alarming declaration that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iran reaches a deal to halt the conflict and clear the Strait of Hormuz. António Guterres expressed concern over remarks implying civilian populations would suffer from political and military actions. Pope Leo XIV deemed the threats “unacceptable,” emphasizing their potential impact on everyday lives.
As the midnight GMT deadline approached, Pakistan, acting as a regional mediator, urged Trump to grant a two-week extension to facilitate additional diplomatic talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan noted that ongoing negotiations were showing “steady, strong, and powerful progress,” potentially leading to meaningful outcomes. He requested Iran to “open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.” A White House spokesperson confirmed the proposal had been relayed to Trump, pending a response.
Escalating Strikes and Military Threats
The U.S. and Israel escalated attacks on Iranian targets on Tuesday, focusing on Kharg Island’s oil terminal and eight railway bridges. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards retaliated by launching ballistic missiles toward Israel, asserting they struck a vessel in the Gulf and a Saudi petrochemical complex. Iranian authorities reported casualties, including two deaths from a bridge hit in Kashan and 18 fatalities in Alborz province. The Rafie-Nia synagogue in the capital was also reportedly damaged in the strikes.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,”
Trump wrote on Truth Social, aiming to intensify pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed the U.S. military could dismantle all bridges and power plants within four hours if a deal wasn’t reached by the deadline. The president further suggested that a “revolutionarily wonderful” outcome might follow “complete and total regime change,” where “smarter, less radicalised minds” take over.
Iranian Response and Human Chains
Iranian officials urged citizens to form human chains near U.S. and Israeli targets, as seen in images shared by state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to retaliate beyond the region if “the American terrorist army crosses the red lines,” threatening to disrupt oil and gas supplies for years. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted public resolve, stating over 14 million citizens had “so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran.”
Vice-President JD Vance acknowledged the desire for a deal but hinted at “tools in our tool kit” that could be used against Iran if necessary. The White House later clarified that Vance’s remarks did not imply nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the strikes, asserting they targeted “personnel, weapons, and raw materials” of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. He called the actions “crushing” the “terrorist regime” with “increasing force.”
