President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened that a “whole civilization will die” unless Iran agrees to a deal that involves reopening the Strait of Hormuz, dramatically escalating his rhetoric toward the Islamic republic and drawing condemnation from global leaders.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. 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? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”
Meanwhile, Iranian government officials called on people to create human chains around the country’s power plants after Trump’s warning that he will destroy all the country’s power plants and bridges if they don’t reopen the strait. Iran’s president said 14 million people have volunteered to fight.
Israel announced on Tuesday that it attacked eight bridges in Iran, saying that they were used “for transporting weapons and military equipment in several areas across Iran, including Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, Kashan and Qom.”
The attacks came about 10 hours before Trump’s deadline. The Israeli military said its actions were to “mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.”
The U.S., Iran and mediators were reportedly discussing a 45-day ceasefire proposal ahead of Trump’s deadline, but a White House official told CNBC that Trump has not backed that idea.
International voices have called for restraint, fearing widespread violence could further disrupt global relations and trade.
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on France Info television that any attacks that target civilians or energy infrastructure are “barred by the rules of war, international law.”
Trump told reporters he’s “not at all” worried about committing war crimes.
More than 1,900 people in Iran have died in the war, while 23 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.