The day began with a shock to the world: US President Donald Trump posted on social media that Iran faced annihilation if it did not comply with his demands. “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” he wrote, sending alarm across diplomatic circles and financial markets.
In Washington, the president’s remarks drew intense criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer called Trump an “extremely sick person,” while opponents described the comments as “unhinged,” “deranged,” “lunatic,” and “genocidal.” Even some Republicans expressed concern. Senator Ron Johnson said he did not want the United States “blowing up civilian infrastructure,” and Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran wrote on X that such threats were “not consistent with the principles that have long guided America.”
International reactions were equally swift. Pope Leo XIV called the comments “truly unacceptable,” while UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply troubled” by the threat. Former allies and commentators also weighed in, condemning the aggressive rhetoric.
With less than two hours before the deadline Trump had set for attacks on Iranian bridges and power plants, the president posted another message. This time, he announced a conditional two-week ceasefire if Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. The sudden reversal prompted relief in financial markets. Asian stock markets surged on opening, while oil prices fell sharply, reflecting optimism that a major escalation could be avoided.
Observers noted that while Trump has often relied on high-stakes brinkmanship, this episode stood out for its intensity and timing. His social media posts over Easter Sunday, calling on Iran to “Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell,” drew widespread condemnation, even from former allies. Legal experts pointed out that deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure could violate international law unless they offered “a definite military advantage,” something US officials had claimed had already been achieved.
The abrupt escalation and reversal has left global leaders wary, with many questioning the reliability of US commitments. Analysts suggest the episode could push countries to seek alternative partners and alliances, potentially benefiting China, which has emerged as a major geopolitical competitor to the United States.
Before the ceasefire was announced, Trump wrote, “We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world.” The dramatic sequence of threats and last-minute diplomacy has underscored the fragile state of international security and the new unpredictability in US foreign policy.
