Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
United States President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric and military posture toward Iran on Tuesday, warning that an entire “civilization” could be destroyed within hours as a self-imposed deadline approached for Tehran to comply with American demands.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump declared that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” while adding that he still hoped for a last-minute breakthrough. The warning came just hours before an 8 p.m. Eastern Time deadline set by Washington for Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes.
Overnight, US forces carried out a wave of airstrikes on Kharg Island, targeting what American officials described as military infrastructure, including bunkers, radar systems, and ammunition depots. The island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal, though US officials emphasized that energy facilities themselves were not directly hit. Images circulating on social media showed extensive damage across parts of the island, underscoring the scale of the operation.
The strikes marked a significant escalation in a conflict that has already rattled global energy markets and raised fears of a broader regional war. Analysts warn that any sustained disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a prolonged global energy crisis. The head of the International Energy Agency has described the situation as the most severe supply disruption in modern history, while fuel prices in the United States have surged sharply in recent days.
Washington’s ultimatum followed Iran’s rejection of a ceasefire proposal reportedly conveyed through intermediaries. Iranian officials signaled no willingness to comply with demands to reopen the strait, instead warning of retaliatory measures that could target critical infrastructure across the region. Among the most alarming threats were suggestions that Iran could strike desalination facilities supplying water to Gulf states, which rely heavily on such plants due to their desert geography.
At the diplomatic level, tensions have escalated sharply. Iran’s envoy to the United Nations condemned Trump’s ultimatum as a direct incitement to violence and accused Washington of signaling intent to commit acts that could violate international law. Iranian military officials dismissed the US president’s statements as reckless and detached from reality.
Meanwhile, the White House has sought to balance its aggressive stance with signals that diplomacy remains possible. Vice President JD Vance, speaking alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, said that negotiations were ongoing and expressed cautious optimism that a resolution could still be reached. He added that the United States had already achieved many of its military objectives, suggesting that the conflict might be nearing a decision point.
Complicating the situation further are unconfirmed intelligence reports indicating instability within Iran’s leadership. A memo circulated among US, Israeli, and Gulf officials claims that Mojtaba Khamenei, described as a key figure in the country’s power structure, is incapacitated and undergoing treatment in the city of Qom. The report alleges he is currently unable to perform his duties, though no independent verification has emerged.
The conflict has also drawn in other regional actors. Israel issued warnings affecting civilian transportation inside Iran, contributing to disruptions in daily life as authorities suspended certain rail services. The broader Middle East remains on high alert amid fears that the confrontation could expand into a multi-front war.
Global financial markets have reacted with caution, with investors uncertain whether Trump will follow through on his most severe threats or pivot toward last-minute negotiations. The president has previously issued deadlines to Tehran that were later extended or softened, contributing to skepticism about the likelihood of immediate large-scale escalation.
Nevertheless, the combination of military strikes, economic shockwaves, and increasingly stark rhetoric has created one of the most volatile moments in recent geopolitical history. As the deadline approached, the world watched closely to see whether the crisis would tip into full-scale war or pull back from the brink through diplomacy.
