International Desk (EFE).- The United States President Donald Trump escalated global tensions on Tuesday, warning that «a whole civilization» could perish if Iran fails to meet his ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The threat comes amid a day of heavy bombardment and frantic diplomatic maneuvers ahead of the 8:00 pm (US Eastern Time) deadline.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” wrote Trump on his Truth Social account. “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? We will find out tonight.”
Despite the President’s rhetoric regarding a potential annihilation, the White House officially denied speculations about the use of nuclear weapons. The administration’s ‘Rapid Response 47’ X account clarified that Vice President JD Vance did not suggest a nuclear strike in response to Tehran’s defiance.
Inside Iran, thousands of civilians formed human chains around key power plants and bridges (including the Damavand plant in Tehran) in an attempt to shield civilian infrastructure from Washington’s promised strikes.
Escalation of hostilities
As the clock ticks toward the deadline, US and Israeli forces have intensified their aerial campaigns. The primary target has been Kharg Island, Iran’s most critical oil terminal, where multiple explosions were reported following missile strikes from both naval vessels and aircraft.
The Israeli Defense Forces also confirmed the bombing of at least eight strategic bridges in cities including Tehran, Tabriz, and Qom. The strikes have further impacted railway lines and religious sites, including a synagogue in the Iranian capital that sustained severe structural damage.
In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that its retaliation would «be firm and deeply regret-inducing» if its power grid is destroyed. Following the strikes on Kharg Island, Tehran launched retaliatory missiles and drones at the Al Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia, damaging facilities owned by major US corporations.
Diplomatic standoff and regional crisis
From Budapest, Vance expressed hope that Iran would provide the «right answer» before 8:00 pm. Simultaneously, Pakistan described its mediation efforts as being at a critical and sensitive stage, while Qatar urged a swift agreement that includes all Gulf nations.
At the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that demanded Iran immediately cease attacks on commercial shipping. This diplomatic deadlock occurs as the conflict spills over into Lebanon, where the death toll has surpassed 1,500 and the number of people fleeing to Syria has reached 230,000.
Amid the escalation, a brief humanitarian development emerged: the pro-Iranian group Kataib Hezbollah announced the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson. Kittleson had been kidnapped a week ago in Baghdad, an incident that had added further volatility to the Middle East crisis. EFE
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