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US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning ahead of his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if Tehran does not comply.
Posting on Truth Social Tuesday, Trump framed the coming hours as potentially decisive for both Iran and the wider international order.
“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” he wrote. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
He added that the situation could still shift rapidly if political change occurs inside Iran.
“However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?”
Trump described the moment as historically consequential, stating: “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!”
His remarks come as the White House deadline of 20:00 EST Tuesday approaches without any indication that Tehran intends to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically critical energy chokepoints.
Trump has warned that failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline could trigger a major escalation, threatening to “rain hell” on Tehran if no agreement is reached.
Iran has rejected a proposed 45-day ceasefire framework, instead signalling it is seeking a permanent settlement rather than a temporary pause in hostilities. At the same time, reported strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal, and damage to bridges and road infrastructure near Qom and Kashan indicate continued military pressure on key transport and logistics routes.
Iranian state media also reported that a major highway linking Tabriz to Tehran was closed after an overpass was damaged, while power outages were recorded west of the capital. Iranian officials say the strikes killed at least two people.
The Israeli military confirmed it had carried out what it described as a “broad wave” of strikes but did not identify specific targets. Separately, Israeli authorities have warned civilians in Iran to avoid rail travel until at least 21:00 local time.
Tehran has reportedly suspended all diplomatic and indirect communication channels with Washington. According to Iranian state reporting, “any and all message exchanges have also been suspended.”
Despite Trump’s warning, US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations could continue up to the deadline and that Washington remained confident a deal was still possible.
“The United States feels confident” it can reach an agreement, he said, adding that “the United States has largely accomplished its military objectives in Iran.”
Vance also suggested US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure remain conditional rather than immediate policy.
“We’re not going to strike energy and infrastructure targets until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or don’t make a proposal,” he said.
Referring to reported strikes linked to Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, he added: “We were going to strike some military targets on Kharg Island, and I believe we have done so.”
“I don’t think the news in Kharg Island represents a change in strategy, or represents any change from the President of the United States.”
Reporting in The Wall Street Journal suggested that while several scenarios remain possible, including renewed talks or movement towards an agreement, US military strikes are widely viewed as the most likely outcome if Washington concludes Tehran is delaying.
Trump reinforced the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the crisis in a further message, writing: “We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world.”
He again warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” while raising the possibility of “complete and total regime change.”
At the same time, he suggested that an alternative outcome remained possible.
“Maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen,” he wrote, adding that decades of “extortion, corruption, and death will finally end.”