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US President Donald Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die” in Iran if Tehran fails to meet his midnight deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian authorities reported that US-Israeli attacks on key infrastructure had already begun.
Speaking in Budapest, Vice President JD Vance said Washington still had “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” against Iran, though he did not elaborate.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded by warning that if Washington crossed Tehran’s “red lines”, they would cut off oil and gas supplies to the United States and its allies.
The warnings came as Iran reported that the United States and Israel had begun striking critical infrastructure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed attacks on railways and bridges, stating that the Revolutionary Guards were using those facilities.
Trump had earlier threatened the “complete demolition” of Iran’s vital infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Tehran failed to reach an agreement.
However, hours before the deadline expired, the Israeli military said it had already carried out a broad wave of strikes targeting infrastructure sites across the country.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his warning, writing that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” if Iran refuses to reach a deal.
He added, “However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?
“We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”
It was not immediately clear what exactly Trump meant or how such a threat would be carried out.
Iranian authorities said one strike hit a bridge outside the city of Qom, while another attack on a rail bridge in central Iran killed two people.
Officials also reported that a key highway linking the northern city of Tabriz with Tehran had been shut down following a strike.
The Mizan news agency also reported damage to railway tracks in Karaj, near the capital.
