US President Donald Trump has delivered one of his most severe warnings yet in the ongoing confrontation with Iran, suggesting catastrophic consequences if tensions continue to spiral. Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote that an entire civilisation could vanish “by tonight,” though he added that he hoped such an outcome could still be avoided.

While projecting confidence, the US leader also indicated that final decisions had not been locked in, saying developments could shift at the last minute. He described the unfolding moment as potentially historic and hinted at the possibility of sweeping political change within Iran, framing it as an opportunity for a different leadership to emerge.

The remarks come amid mounting friction over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply moves. Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to reopen the passage would invite strong action, including possible strikes on critical infrastructure.

Initially issuing a 48-hour ultimatum, Trump has since pushed back the deadline several times. What began as a short window has stretched into weeks, with the latest cutoff now set for April 7. Earlier extensions expanded the timeline well beyond the original timeframe, underscoring the fluctuating nature of Washington’s strategy.

Despite the fiery rhetoric, the repeated postponements have led analysts to suggest that diplomatic channels may still be active behind closed doors. There has been no formal confirmation from the US administration on whether further delays are possible or whether military measures will follow if Iran fails to comply.

Given the waterway’s importance to global energy markets — accounting for a substantial portion of crude shipments — the situation has drawn worldwide attention. As the revised deadline approaches, governments and markets alike remain on alert for Washington’s next move.