Trump condemned over threat that Iran’s ‘civilisation will die’
Trump’s Threat Sparks Global Criticism
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Pope Leo XIV both criticized US President Donald Trump’s warning that “an entire civilization would perish by midnight” unless Iran reached a deal to halt the conflict and clear the Strait of Hormuz. Guterres expressed concern that such remarks could lead to civilian suffering as a result of political and military actions. The Pope added that the warning was “not acceptable,” highlighting its alarming tone.
Deadline Extension Requested
As the midnight GMT deadline neared, mediator Pakistan urged Trump to grant a two-week extension for further negotiations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on X that diplomatic efforts were “advancing steadily, strongly, and powerfully,” with the potential to yield significant outcomes soon. He proposed Iran open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a gesture of goodwill.
US Strikes and Iranian Retaliation
Trump had earlier told Iran to accept his terms or face destruction of bridges and power plants. Iranian authorities called for people to form human chains near possible US and Israeli targets. On Tuesday, the US and Israel launched strikes targeting Iran, including the Kharg Island oil terminal and eight railway bridges. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards responded by launching ballistic missiles toward Israel and claimed to have hit a vessel in the Gulf and a Saudi petrochemical complex.
“A whole civilisation 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.
He warned that if no agreement was reached, US forces could destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran within four hours. Vice-President JD Vance expressed hope for a deal but noted the US had “options in our toolkit” to counter Iran if needed. The White House clarified that nuclear weapons were not mentioned in his comments.
Human Chains and Casualties
Iranian media reported that dozens of people gathered in human chains at bridges and power plants. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that fighter jets had targeted railway tracks and bridges in Iran, which he claimed were used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to move supplies and personnel. Iranian officials confirmed attacks on a bridge in Kashan and tracks in Karaj, resulting in two deaths. Strikes in Alborz province reportedly killed 18 individuals, including the destruction of the Rafie-Nia synagogue in Tehran.
IRGC’s Warning
The IRGC vowed to retaliate globally if the US crossed “red lines,” threatening to disrupt oil and gas supplies for years. The group emphasized its commitment to defending Iran, with President Masoud Pezeshkian stating over 14 million citizens had “registered to give their lives” for the nation. Israel acknowledged regret over the synagogue damage, calling it “collateral damage” from an attack on a senior Iranian military officer.