US President Donald Trump has issued a big warning to Iran and said that the "whole civilisation will die tonight". In a post on Truth Social, he said that, although he does not want it to happen, "it probably will".
"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.
He said that tonight will be "one of the most important moments" in world history, as 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will "finally end."
However, his statement kept the possibility of an off-ramp open, saying that "maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen".
According to the Wall Street Journal, US and regional mediators have been pushing for a 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the Iran war, but officials said little progress has been made. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has asserted that the US has achieved its war objectives in Iran, leaving the next move to Tehran.
Iran's Response
The Islamic Republic replied to Trump, saying, "You and your allies will suffer an unforgettable hit from the ancient civilisation of Iran".
The Iranian Embassy in Turkiye said on X that a "psychopath's threat" will not end what time could not.
The post read, "Alexander burned it. The Mongols ravaged it. History tested it. Iran is still here. A psychopath's threats won't end what time couldn't."
Trump on Monday said that he is "not at all" concerned about committing possible war crimes as he again threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not meet his Tuesday 8pm EST deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the US that attacking civilian infrastructure is banned under international law, his spokesperson said Monday.
Iran has rejected US pressure, with state media reporting that the authorities are insisting that instead of just a ceasefire it wants a full end to the war.
Trump Is "Bloodthirsty, Like A Mad Dog"
Axios reported, citing a US source, that Trump might be the most hawkish person in the top levels of the administration. "The president is the most bloodthirsty, like a mad dog," another US official told the publication. The source also claimed that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth or Secretary of State Marco Rubio "sound like doves" compared to Trump.
Strikes On Kharg Island
Explosions have been reported on Kharg Island, an important oil export hub near the Strait of Hormuz, on Tuesday, according to semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr.
Trump warned that failure to comply will result in a simultaneous, massive bombing campaign aimed at "each and every one" of Iran's electric generating plants and bridges.
Axios has reported, citing a senior US official, that the American military conducted strikes on military targets on the island.