By Justin Bailey
The U.S. military struck Iran’s Kharg Island on the same day President Donald Trump vowed that a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless things change.
The U.S. carried out attacks on military targets on the key Iranian island early Tuesday, two U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). American forces hit over 50 targets on the key Iranian export hub off the country’s southern coast, according to the officials. The strike came ahead of Trump’s Tuesday evening deadline for Iran to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Iran Compares Trump To Profane Caveman)
The U.S. conducted the attack in the early morning in East Coast time, but did not hit oil infrastructure, the officials said. A U.S. official also told Axios that American forces struck military targets on Kharg Island.
The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in Operation Epic Fury beginning on Feb. 28. American forces had previously hit Kharg Island in March.
President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that a “whole civilization will die” if Iran does not make a deal with the U.S. to end the war.
Trump previously threatened to bomb power plants and bridges in Iran if the government did not reach an agreement with the U.S. and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He stated on Truth Social that the U.S. would “probably” destroy Iran tonight, presumably because a deal before the 8 p.m. deadline has become less likely.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump said. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!” (RELATED: Trump Says Rescued Air Force Officer ‘Evaded Capture’ For Nearly 48 Hours On Enemy Lines)
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz soon after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on the country on Feb. 28. The blockage caused gas prices to rise 35% in the U.S., with the national average exceeding $4.10 per gallon as of Tuesday, which prompted Trump to condition an end to the war on reopening the critical waterway.
Trump said Monday that he is not concerned about potentially committing a war crime in Iran. He also warned on Easter Sunday that Iranians will “be living in Hell” if they do not reopen the Strait.
