Donald Trump has warned “a whole civilization will die tonight” as his deadline for Iran’s total surrender expires on Tuesday evening US time.
The President took to his Truth Social platform to deliver what is being viewed as either a final bid for peace — including to open the Strait of Hormuz — or a terrifying precursor to a massive military escalation.
“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.
“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. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”
Trump had set a deadline for the Strait to be opened at 8pm Washington time on Tuesday evening.
It comes as The Associated Press is reporting Kharg Island — home to Iran’s essential oil infrastructure — has been hit by US airstrikes.