U.S. President Donald Trump says that “a whole civilization will die tonight” as his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz looms on Tuesday.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning, 12 hours ahead of his deadline for Iran.
However, he added that there was potential for something “wonderful” to happen in Tehran.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
Story continues below advertisement
“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?” he added.
Get daily National news
Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.
Trump said his deadline of 8 p.m. Eastern is “one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World,” saying “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end.”
Last week, Trump gave Iran a 48-hour window – a period that would expire on Monday – to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz “before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them.”
On Easter Sunday, in an expletive-laden post on Truth Social, Trump threatened Iran’s power plants and bridges if they did not open the Strait.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump said, warning Iranians that they would be “living in Hell” unless they gave in to his demands.
Shortly after, he simply posted the time of the deadline.
More on Canada
More videos
“Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!”
Iran has responded by saying it would target U.S. allies in the Gulf region, refusing to back down after Trump’s threats. Tehran has already targeted energy infrastructure and U.S. military targets in the region, vowing to escalate its campaign after Trump’s latest deadline.
Story continues below advertisement
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to social media on Tuesday to announce that he had registered for military service, along with 14 million Iranians.
“More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I too have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran,” Pezeshkian said.
More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I too have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran. https://t.co/B9GBHAAEMu
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 7, 2026
“You and your allies will suffer an unforgettable hit from the ancient civilization of Iran,” the Iranian Embassy in South Africa posted on social media.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.