US hits over 50 targets on Iran’s Kharg Island as Trump escalates threats ahead of deadline
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The news: US President Donald Trump escalated threats toward Iran on Tuesday, warning that “a whole civilisation will die” if Tehran doesn’t agree to US demands by 8pm ET Tuesday (10:00am AEST Wednesday).
The comments came after the US hit more than 50 military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island earlier on Tuesday, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. The island acts as a departure point for around 90% of Iran’s crude oil shipments.
The context: Making the threats via a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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!”
Sources cited by the WSJ said that Iran has cut off direct communications with the US over President Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization”, adding that indirect talks, mediated by Pakistan and other countries in the region, are continuing.
On Sunday Trump extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face military bombardment of key infrastructure including bridges and power plants, and little action has been made by US and regional mediators to achieving a potential 45-day ceasefire.
Speaking in a news conference in Budapest, US Vice President JD Vance said the US had completed its key military objectives in Iran and that the war will “very shortly” conclude.
Earlier on Tuesday one attacker was killed another two wounded after exchanging fire with Turkish police during an attack outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.
The sources: WSJ, Bloomberg, FT, Truth Social Trump
