'A whole civilisation will die tonight': Trump warns Iran as Hormuz deadline nears

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that a catastrophic outcome could unfold by the end of the day, although he added that such a scenario might still be avoided.

He described the moment as potentially one of the most significant in global history, while leaving room for a last-minute shift in developments.

Trump also suggested that regime change in Iran could open the door for a different political trajectory, though he did not confirm any specific course of action.

Hormuz deadline

The warning comes amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route.

Trump has repeatedly warned of consequences if Iran does not reopen the waterway by the set deadline of 8 pm EST, which corresponds to early Wednesday morning in India.

Initially, the US administration had provided Iran with a 48-hour ultimatum.

However, the deadline has been extended several times, stretching to a total of 408 hours.

The most recent extension sets April 7 as the new cut-off point.

Despite the repeated delays, Trump has continued to issue strong warnings, maintaining uncertainty over whether military action or further negotiations will follow.

Global concerns

Amid the rising rhetoric, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has cautioned that any attack targeting civilian infrastructure would violate international law.

The warning reflects growing global concern over the potential consequences of further escalation.

Iran, meanwhile, has rejected US demands.

Reports from state media indicate that Tehran is seeking a complete end to hostilities rather than a limited ceasefire agreement.

Explosions reported on Kharg Island

Developments intensified with reports of explosions on Kharg Island, a vital oil export terminal near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian media, the incidents occurred just hours before the latest deadline.

US officials, cited in reports, indicated that American forces may have targeted military positions on the island.

The strikes come amid earlier threats from Trump, who had repeatedly warned of action against Iran’s energy infrastructure, including oil facilities and power plants.

Strategic importance of Kharg Island

Kharg Island plays a central role in Iran’s energy exports, handling nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil shipments.

Due to shallow coastal waters along much of Iran’s mainland, the island serves as a key terminal for large tankers.

Its location, situated near US military bases in the Gulf region, makes it particularly vulnerable during periods of heightened conflict.

Any disruption to operations on the island has significant implications for global energy markets.

Israeli strikes add to escalation

The situation has further intensified following a statement from the Israel Defence Forces, which confirmed a broad wave of strikes targeting infrastructure sites across Iran.

While details of the targets were not disclosed, the development adds another dimension to the ongoing tensions.

Global focus on next steps

As the April 7 deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to surround the US response.

There has been no official confirmation on whether further extensions will be granted or if military action will be initiated.

The evolving situation has drawn global attention, particularly due to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for international oil supplies.