Trump condemned over threat that Iran’s ‘civilisation will die’

Trump Condemned for Threat to Iran’s ‘Civilisation’

The UN Secretary-General and the Pope have criticized Donald Trump’s warning that “a civilization will perish tonight” unless Iran reaches a deal to halt the war and clear the Strait of Hormuz. António Guterres expressed concern that political and military actions could endanger civilian lives. Pope Leo XIV labeled the threat “unacceptable.” As the 00:00 GMT deadline loomed, Pakistan, acting as a regional mediator, proposed a two-week delay to continue negotiations.

Trump had previously warned Iran that failure to accept his terms would result in the destruction of bridges and power plants. Iranian officials urged citizens to form human chains near US and Israeli targets. The US and Israel escalated attacks on Tuesday, claiming to have hit military sites at Kharg Island’s oil terminal and eight railway bridges. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched ballistic missiles toward Israel and reported damaging a ship in the Gulf and a Saudi petrochemical complex.

With the deadline approaching, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a two-week extension, stating diplomatic efforts “could yield significant outcomes soon.” The White House confirmed Trump had received the proposal but awaited a response. The president’s apocalyptic message, posted on Truth Social, warned that “a civilization will die tonight, never to be restored.” He also suggested that regime change might lead to “revolutionary progress,” though he did not specify its nature.

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu claimed strikes targeted Iran’s military infrastructure, including railway tracks and bridges. Iranian state media reported casualties from attacks in Kashan and Karaj, near Tehran, as well as 18 deaths in Alborz province. The Rafie-Nia synagogue in the capital was also destroyed. Israel apologized for the “collateral damage,” asserting the strike aimed to eliminate a high-ranking Iranian commander.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian noted over 14 million citizens had volunteered to defend the nation. Images showed citizens linking arms at bridges and power plants, signaling unity. The IRGC vowed retaliation beyond the region if “the American military crosses red lines,” threatening to disrupt oil and gas supplies for years by targeting infrastructure.

“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” wrote Trump on Truth Social.

“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? We will find out tonight,” he added.