Donald Trump warns "a whole civilisation will die tonight" unless Iran reaches a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz
"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," he posted on Truth Social.
But the US president also adds that "something revolutionarily wonderful can happen".
To avoid this fate, according to Trump, Iran has to make a deal "that's acceptable to me". A component of the agreement should include "free traffic of oil" through the Strait of Hormuz.
As the final hours tick down, there has been little indication that Iran is ready to agree to Trump's ultimatum. They've rejected a temporary ceasefire and issued their own list of demands, which a US official described as "maximalist".
This places the US president in a delicate position. If there is no agreement, Trump could extend his deadline – for the fourth time in the past three weeks.
The US has carried out new strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal.
Iranian state media reports two people have been killed after a strike on a bridge in Kashan, hours after Israel warned Iranians not to take trains "for the sake of your security"
"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.
I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized 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" wrote Trump.
US Vice President J D Vance says he was aware of intentions to "strike some military targets" on the island and he believes the US has "done so".
He adds that strikes do not represent a change in strategy for Donald Trump, who has warned of "complete demolition" of Iranian infrastructure if the country does not respond to tonight's deadline to make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance says that Iran is trying to "exact as much economic pain on the world as possible," but that the US has the ability to exact "much greater pain".
He adds that he is confident the US will receive a response from the Iranians by 20:00 EDT tonight (00:00 GMT / 01:00 BST Wednesday): "I hope they make the right response."
Taking questions from reporters, Vance responded to a question on whether he had 'any new information' that suggests a deal can be reached between the US and Iran.
In response, Vance says the US has "fundamentally" completed its military objectives in Iran.
The nature of the war's conclusion is up to the Iranians, he goes on, adding that there are "two pathways" for the war to end.
One is where "Iranians decide they're going to be a normal country, they're not going to fund terrorism anymore, they're going to be part of the world system of commerce and exchange".
The other option, Vance says, is "if the Iranians don't come to the table... then the economic situation in Iran will continue to be very very bad".
A good military planning is not done just because you have a stronger force. Many non-military factors too work behind the scenes, and the commanders cannot wish them away.
Take 1971, the story of India's Bangladesh war would have been different, had India planned and gone ahead with the idea of entering Bangladesh by April-May. The East Pakistan would have flooded in June and the Indian army could have cut a sorry figure.
Thanks to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw; he knew when to say 'No' to the Prime Minister; and credit ought to be given to Indira Gandhi for listening to the counseling of the technical experts on the field.
In May 2025; PM Narendra Modi did the same thing; and thank God; the Operation Sindoor was not extended.
Repeated 'backing away' after such detailed threats and unprecdented "laguage" punctuated with dire warnings, will certainly undercut Trump's and the American credibility.
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