Trump warns Iran’s ‘civilization will die’ as Hormuz deadline looms
The White House set an 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran vowed to cut off oil and gas supplies to the U.S. and allies. Oil prices surged and markets wobbled as the U.S. and Israel struck Kharg Island and Iran’s IRGC said its restraint has ended.
Apr 7, 2026, 12:39 PM EDT
Why it matters: A deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for about a fifth of the world’s oil — could spike energy costs and widen the war if diplomacy fails.
Driving the news:
- President Donald Trump said Iran has until 8 p.m. ET to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure could mean “a whole civilization will die tonight”.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its “restraint has ended” and vowed to deprive the U.S. and allies of the region’s oil and gas “for years to come”.
State of play:
- The U.S. and Israel reportedly struck Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, overnight, with a White House official confirming strikes on “military targets” on the island.
- Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported multiple explosions on Kharg Island, underscoring the site’s strategic importance.
By the numbers:
- Oil prices jumped after the Kharg Island reports, with U.S. crude rising more than 3% in early trading.
- The U.S. has hit military targets on Kharg Island again after overnight strikes, a White House official told The Associated Press.
What they're saying:
- “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again… 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end,” Trump said, adding he doesn’t want that outcome but thinks it “probably will” happen.
- The IRGC said it will deprive the U.S. and allies of the region’s oil and gas “for years to come”.
Reality check:
- The U.S. has not publicly confirmed the Kharg Island strikes; reports rely on local media and a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity.
- Iran has cut off direct communications with the U.S., complicating any last-minute deal to reopen the strait.
What to watch:
- Whether Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz by the 8 p.m. ET deadline or escalates attacks on energy infrastructure.
- Further strikes on Kharg Island and any U.S. or allied responses that could widen the conflict.
The bottom line: The clock is ticking on Hormuz, and Tehran’s vow to cut off oil and gas could turn a deadline into a prolonged energy shock.