Trump Issues Iran Ultimatum, Extends to Ceasefire

President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran on Tuesday morning via his Truth Social platform, threatening the destruction of the country's civilian infrastructure and warning that "a whole civilization will die tonight" unless Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET. The post, which came amid an escalating conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February, drew immediate condemnation from lawmakers, analysts and even former Trump allies, reigniting debates over the president's fitness for office.

The threats followed a series of aggressive messages from Trump, including an Easter Sunday post declaring that Tuesday would mark "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran" if the strait remained closed. He demanded Iran "open the F Strait... or you'll be living in Hell," signing off with "Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP." The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for about 20 percent of global oil shipments, was sealed by Iran in retaliation for the initial U.S.-Israeli attacks, which included the assassination of senior Iranian officials and a strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school that killed 175 people,...