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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by an 8 p.m. deadline. The threat, posted on his Truth Social platform, came hours before the ultimatum expired and was met with swift condemnation from domestic and international voices. Yet, less than two hours before the deadline, Trump announced he was pulling back on his threatened strikes, citing a proposed two-week ceasefire and plans for negotiations in Islamabad.

The war, which began on Feb. 28, has already seen sweeping U.S. and Israeli strikes across Iran, including on military targets on Kharg Island, and has caused global economic uncertainty, particularly in Africa.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the events of Tuesday varied in tone and focus across outlets. ABC Australia described the situation as "precarious," emphasizing Trump's "astonishing tirade" and the potential consequences of his rhetoric. A second ABC Australia analysis highlighted the political vulnerability Trump now faces, noting that even Republicans are beginning to speak out against his comments. Africa News, in two separate reports, first stressed the global repercussions of the blockade—including a "national emergency" in Zambia—and later highlighted the potential for peace following Iran's acceptance of a two-week ceasefire. The Jerusalem Post focused on the condemnation from Jewish groups and Senate Democrats, calling Trump's language "genocidal rhetoric." Yonhap News underscored the tension and uncertainty, reporting on Pakistan's request for a two-week extension of the deadline.

Key claims

The core facts reported across multiple sources include:

  • Trump set a deadline of 8 p.m. Tuesday Washington time for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy Iranian bridges, power plants, and nuclear facilities if the deadline was not met.
  • Trump posted: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will."
  • Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a two-week extension of the deadline, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been made aware of the proposal.
  • The U.S. and Israel launched sweeping strikes across Iran, including on military targets on Kharg Island, which handles 90 percent of Iran's oil exports.
  • Iran rejected a proposal to end the fighting on Monday, according to ABC Australia, and offered a counteroffer demanding reparations.
  • Less than two hours before the deadline, Trump announced he would suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, subject to Tehran's agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Iran's Supreme National Security Council accepted a two-week ceasefire and agreed to negotiate with the U.S. in Islamabad beginning Friday, as reported by Africa News.
  • Vice President JD Vance has been nominated to travel to Pakistan to lead the U.S. side of negotiations, a claim carried by a single outlet (ABC Australia) and not yet independently confirmed.
  • Jewish groups, including the American Jewish Committee, and Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned Trump's threat as genocidal and a "moral failure."

Perspectives

Trump administration perspective: The White House framed the deadline and subsequent pause as a negotiating tactic, with Trump citing conversations with Pakistan's leadership and describing Iran's proposed peace plan as "workable." The administration maintained that the strikes were necessary to pressure Iran and that the ceasefire was conditional on the full and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian perspective: Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, signaled willingness to allow passage through the strait for two weeks under Iranian military management, but stressed that the ceasefire "does not signify the termination of the war." Iran's foreign ministry earlier rejected a proposal to end fighting, demanding reparations for damages.

International community perspective: Pope Leo XIV called for de-escalation, urging those "who have the power to start wars to choose peace." In Africa, the blockade has caused fuel shortages, with Zambia declaring a national emergency. Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the region.

Critics of Trump's rhetoric: Jewish groups and Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, condemned the president's language as threatening to extinguish an entire civilization, potentially constituting a war crime. The American Jewish Committee expressed alarm while sharing the objectives of the war against Iran's regime.

Domestic political implications: ABC Australia noted that the "end of civilization" post has exposed a vulnerability for Trump, who has been dubbed the "Teflon President," as even compliant White House press corps members questioned the moral high ground, and Republicans face midterm election risks.