Trump threatens Iran with strikes as Hormuz deadline looms

President Trump threatened severe military action against Iran on Tuesday, hours before his deadline for the country to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on critical infrastructure.

In a social media post, Trump issued an ultimatum with stark language. "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," the American president wrote, while expressing hope that "maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen" to avert the attacks. He characterized the moment as "one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World."

The deadline was set for 8 p.m. Eastern time. Trump previously stated on Monday that if Iran did not comply, every bridge in the country would be targeted, according to reports.

The threats came as military operations intensified in the region. Explosions were reported on Kharg Island, Iran's most important crude oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, which handles the bulk of Iranian oil exports. The semi-official Mehr news agency reported the island was under attack.

Unnamed U.S. officials told Reuters and Axios that the U.S. military had carried out strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, without providing additional details. The U.S. military had previously conducted airstrikes on the island in mid-March.

Separately, a gunfight erupted outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, resulting in two deaths. The consulate has had no Israeli diplomatic staff present for over a year.

The escalating military operations and inflammatory rhetoric underscored the deteriorating diplomatic situation. Israel and Iran launched a new round of attacks in the Middle East, with no public signs of a breakthrough to end the conflict. The fragile state of diplomacy remained evident as both sides continued military operations without indication of negotiated resolution.