Trump Threatens Iran Over Strait of Hormuz Blockade

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on April 7, threatening the end of its civilization if the country did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. Eastern Time, prompting widespread condemnation from Democratic leaders in Congress who demanded an immediate vote to end the ongoing war.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." The message referenced potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure and tied the deadline to demands for access to the strait, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Iran has blocked the strait amid hostilities that began six weeks ago, escalating a conflict that has drawn U.S. military involvement.

House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, issued a joint statement describing Trump's remarks as shocking and calling for the House to reconvene from recess to pass a war powers resolution halting the war. "The House must come back into session immediately and vote to end this reckless war of choice in the...