The president who aspired to win the Nobel Peace Prize and was once happy with the image of resolving conflicts turned to the language of destruction while struggling to find a solution to his election war in Iran.
US President Donald Trump’s latest threat of war with Iran escalated on Tuesday as he warned “The whole civilization will die tonight, never to come back”, if Iran fails to make a deal that includes reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The Republican president’s remarks shocked the world, while the United States was condemned by Democrats, some supporters of “Make America Great Again” who have abandoned Trump, and the first American pope. Some fellow Republicans suggested his comments were a negotiating tactic.
It followed his threats in recent days that he would be “forgetting Iran” and “going back to the Stone Ages!!!” He said he would blow up bridges and civilian installations, which military law experts said could constitute a war crime. And on Easter morning, he wrote on his social network account: “Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell.”
01:31
The United States and Iran have agreed to a 2-week ceasefire amid Pakistan’s mediation efforts
The United States and Iran have agreed to a 2-week ceasefire amid Pakistan’s mediation efforts
More than an hour before his 8 p.m. (8 a.m. Wednesday Hong Kong time) deadline, Trump announced he was backing away from his threats of widespread strikes, provided Iran agrees to a two-week ceasefire and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s National Security Council has said it has agreed to a two-week ceasefire in the war.
