Trump Threatens Iran's 'Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Over Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump issued his most extreme threat yet against Iran on Tuesday, warning that the country's "whole civilization will die tonight" if they don't meet his 8pm deadline.

The ultimatum centers on Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that's crucial for global oil shipments. Trump demanded Iran reopen the shipping lane by 8pm Eastern Time on Tuesday.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday morning. He added that "maybe something revolutionarily wonderful" could still happen, leaving room for a last-minute deal.

The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. About 20% of the world's oil passes through this 21-mile-wide channel. When it's blocked, oil prices typically surge.

Trump's language represents a dramatic escalation in his threats against Iran. Earlier posts mentioned bombing the country back to the "stone ages," but Tuesday's warning explicitly targeted civilians.

Details are still emerging about what specific actions Iran must take and what Trump plans if his deadline passes.