Iran and the rest of the world are holding their breath just hours before the end of the ultimatum issued by Donald Trump on Tuesday, April 7. The American president has promised to “wipe out Iranian civilization” overnight if the Iranians do not open the Strait of Hormuz. Since the early morning, attacks have intensified in Iran, where bridges, highways, and airports have been destroyed.
In the hours leading up to the end of the American ultimatum on Tuesday, April 7, the Iranian regime staged images of a massive human chain on a bridge, with flags waving and children at the forefront, as a shield against the series of strikes on these civilian infrastructures. This bridge, which includes a railway track, has been cut in half today. Rescuers are transporting an injured civilian.
This is also a way for the Iranians to occupy the ground in the face of unprecedented threats from Donald Trump: “An entire civilization will die tonight and it will never recover,” promised the American president in writing if no agreement was reached. Shortly after, his vice president, J.D. Vance, hinted at the use of new weapons against Iran: “They must know that we have tools in our arsenal, tools that we have not decided to use until now.” Immediately, controversy erupted over the potential use of nuclear weapons. The White House denied it minutes later.
Without waiting for the end of the American ultimatum, several Israeli strikes hit areas of civilian infrastructure, such as a technology university in Tehran. The roof completely collapsed. On the ground, students’ books and computer equipment were strewn about. According to Iranian media, strikes also hit the highly strategic Kharg oil terminal, through which 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass.
In retaliation, the Iranians claim to have carried out strikes in Saudi Arabia and Israel. But the dramatic threats from the American president now change the dynamics of the conflict by raising the specter of war crimes: “Today Mr. Trump’s threats are to say: we will hit anywhere. He says it, explicitly. We will destroy everything in Iran. And that is absolutely monstrous, clearly contrary to all international conventions,” points out Patrick Baudouin, an international law attorney.
Less than six hours before the end of the ultimatum, Donald Trump still claims he can change his mind. Can a negotiated solution still be found? The Iranians state tonight that they have closed the door to any further discussions after the recent bombings.
