US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, declaring that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” ahead of a critical deadline—6:00am Wednesday Bangladesh time—for reaching a deal on the Strait of Hormuz. The statement marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric as tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify.
In response, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone, asserting national resolve. “More than 14 million brave Iranians have declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I, too, have sacrificed my life for Iran and will continue to do so,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, violence on the ground continues. An Israeli strike on a railway bridge in Kashan reportedly killed two people and injured three others, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. Separately, a US official confirmed that American forces carried out strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports.
Democratic lawmakers in the United States have strongly condemned Trump’s remarks, warning that such threats could amount to incitement of war crimes. Analysts have also cautioned that any large-scale attack on Iran could have grave legal and geopolitical consequences.
Trump’s remarks have drawn global attention for their severity.
“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” he said, while also hinting at the possibility of regime change. “Now that we have complete and total regime change, perhaps something revolutionary can happen.”
He further described the moment as potentially historic, adding: “We will find out tonight—one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world.”
According to available estimates, the ongoing conflict has already resulted in at least 2,076 deaths and over 26,500 injuries in Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a strong warning, stating that any US attack on civilian infrastructure would trigger a far-reaching response.
“We will target the infrastructure of America and its partners in a way that deprives them of the region’s oil and gas for years,” the statement said. “Our response will extend beyond the region if US forces cross our red lines.”
Trump’s comments have sparked outrage among Democratic leaders:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described the president as “an extremely sick person” and warned of the consequences of a “war of choice.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Congress to act immediately to prevent escalation, cautioning against a potential slide into World War III.
Congressman Jason Crow called the rhetoric a “war crime,” stressing that the US military must follow lawful orders.
Congressman Jim McGovern labelled the threat “pure evil” and illegal under both US and international law.
Even Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump ally, broke ranks, calling the threat “evil and madness.” She argued that “not a single bomb has dropped on America” and suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
A US official confirmed that recent American strikes on Kharg Island targeted military installations and avoided oil infrastructure. The island remains Iran’s primary oil export terminal and a vital component of its economy.
Trump has previously suggested the possibility of deploying troops to seize control of the island, raising concerns about a broader military confrontation.
In a separate development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces had targeted bridges and railway infrastructure in Iran, claiming they were used for transporting operatives and weapons. However, no evidence was provided to support these claims.
International law generally prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure, and repeated strikes on such targets have drawn criticism from observers.
The conflict is increasingly affecting global economic and political dynamics. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted that disruptions in global supply chains—particularly in oil, gas, and key commodities such as fertilisers—have created new economic opportunities for Russia.
“For our country, the current situation creates opportunities to strengthen export-oriented industries and increase budget revenues,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military leadership has warned that continued escalation threatens regional peace. At a high-level security meeting in Rawalpindi, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir condemned attacks on Saudi infrastructure, calling them “unwarranted aggressions” that could derail diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan, alongside Türkiye and Egypt, has been engaged in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of targeting cultural and educational institutions. According to local reports, at least 56 heritage sites, 30 universities, and 55 libraries have been damaged.
Iran’s Minister of Culture, Reza Salehi Amiri, described the destruction as a “deliberate attack on Iranian identity.”
Qatar has warned that the region is nearing a dangerous tipping point. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari cautioned that “the situation could spiral out of control,” emphasising that prolonged conflict serves no nation’s long-term interests.
He also underscored the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, stating: “Hormuz is a natural strait, and all countries have the right to use it freely.”
