Washington: US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran on Tuesday, issuing a stark warning of civilizational collapse as his self-imposed deadline for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fast approached.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president characterized the current standoff as a definitive turning point in the decades-long friction between the two nations. The remarks come as the U.S. military remains poised for what the administration has described as a "wide-scale" strike on Iranian infrastructure if maritime transit is not restored.

“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump wrote, framing the moment as an existential ultimatum for the Islamic Republic.

A Vision for Regime Change

Despite the grim nature of his warning, the president suggested that a transition in Iranian leadership could avert a catastrophic outcome. He alluded to a future governed by "smarter" and "less radicalized" individuals, signaling that the administration’s ultimate goal remains a fundamental shift in Tehran’s governance.

“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,” he continued.

The Midnight Deadline

The president’s posts arrived just hours before a Tuesday night deadline—previously set for 8 p.m. Eastern Time—for Iran to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, a critical artery for global oil and gas supplies, has been at the center of the conflict since major combat operations began on Feb. 28.

Trump characterized the impending deadline as one of the "most important moments" in modern history, framing the potential military action as a conclusion to "47 years of extortion, corruption, and death."

“WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World,” Trump wrote. “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

Regional Stakes

The rhetoric follows several days of intensifying threats, including an Easter Sunday post in which the president warned of a "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day" that would leave Iran "living in Hell."

While the White House has maintained that it seeks a diplomatic resolution, the Pentagon has confirmed that strike packages are prepared for a "wide wave of attacks" on Iranian logistics and energy sectors. As of Tuesday evening, Iranian officials have remained defiant, rejecting U.S. terms and calling for a permanent end to hostilities and compensation for war damages before the Strait is reopened.