12/04/2026
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12/04/2026
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WASHINGTON, Apr 12: U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his earlier warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” and issued new threats against Iran, as tensions escalate following failed negotiations.
In recent remarks, Trump said his earlier warning helped bring Iran to the negotiating table, while reiterating that Tehran must abandon its nuclear ambitions. He warned that if Iran’s leadership refuses to comply, the United States could target key civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, saying the country could be pushed “back to the stone ages.”
Trump also doubled down on plans to enforce a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Iran cannot control access to the critical global shipping route. He insisted that either all vessels should have safe passage or none at all, accusing Tehran of profiting from oil sales and restricting transit.
“We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like,” Trump said, adding that the approach would mirror past U.S. actions against Venezuela but on a larger scale.
The latest comments follow the collapse of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan, where negotiations failed to resolve key disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, despite progress on other issues.
Trump’s rhetoric has drawn international attention, with critics warning that threats against civilian infrastructure could have severe humanitarian consequences and raise concerns under international law.
