‘Civilisation will die tonight’: Trump issues most severe threat yet against Iran

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday escalated his threats against Iran, warning that the US would “destroy” the country’s civilisation if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz and comply with his demands.

Trump issued the warning on his Truth Social account about 12 hours before the deadline he set for Iran to lift its blockade of the strategic waterway. The strait has been largely closed to shipping since the US‑Israel war on Iran began on February 28. 

“A whole civilisation will die tonight… I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote, in what has become his most extreme threat since the conflict began.

 War enters sixth week with heavy casualties

The US and Israel launched the war by killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials on the first day of the conflict. More than 2,000 people have been killed in strikes that have hit schools, residential buildings and medical facilities across Iran. 

Despite the losses, Iran’s governing structure has remained intact. Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, has taken over leadership, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to spearhead the war effort. There have been no major defections or antigovernment protests since the conflict began. 

Iran has responded with rocket and drone attacks targeting Israel and US assets across the Middle East. It has also struck civilian and energy infrastructure in Gulf states and blocked the Strait of Hormuz, sending global energy prices soaring. 

 Legal experts warn of war crimes

Trump has repeatedly threatened to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power stations, if Tehran does not comply. Legal experts told Al Jazeera that intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime. 

Yasmine Taeb, political director at MPower Change Action Fund, described Trump’s rhetoric as “horrific” and “pure evil,” calling for stronger international condemnation. 

Despite the threats, Trump said a diplomatic breakthrough was still possible, calling the moment “one of the most important in the long and complex history of the world.”

“We will find out tonight,” he wrote, adding that “47 years of extortion, corruption and death will finally end.” 

Iranian officials, however, remain defiant and have vowed to respond to any further escalation with equal force.