Trump Ultimatum Prompts Iran Ceasefire on Hormuz

President Donald Trump warned Iran on April 7, 2026, that the country faced devastating military strikes unless it reopened the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. Eastern Time, a deadline tied to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict that has disrupted global oil shipments. 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." He linked the threat to demands for Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions and restore maritime passage through the strait, which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

The ultimatum came amid escalating tensions following Iran's closure of the strait earlier in the five-week conflict. U.S. officials described the move as an act of extortion that has crippled energy markets and raised global prices. Trump, speaking at a White House press conference the previous day, emphasized the administration's readiness to target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if no deal was reached. "The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night," he said.

Recent U.S. military actions have focused on limited...