President Donald Trump, saying he was agreeing to a request from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, delayed “the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” hours ahead of Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as he threatens to kill “a whole civilization.”
President Donald Trump holds a Press Conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington DC, United States. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Takeaways
- Sharif requested that Trump extend his 8 p.m. deadline by two weeks “to allow diplomacy to run its course,” additionally asking Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for those two weeks as a “goodwill measure.”
- Pakistan emerged as a mediator between Iran and the U.S. as they carried out negotiations.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Politico in a statement that Trump has been “made aware” of Pakistan’s proposal and that a “response will come.”
- Sharif’s plea followed a threat from Trump that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want it to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding “we will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”
- Repeating his claim there’s been regime change in Iran, Trump said “different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail” and “maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?”
- Shortly after Trump’s post, regime spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted a cryptic message to X: “The power of a ‘CIVILIZED’ nation’s culture, logic, and faith in its righteous cause will undoubtedly prevail over the logic of brute force. A nation that has every faith in the righteousness of its path shall harness all its capacities and capabilities to safeguard its rights and legitimate interests.”
- Meanwhile, people formed human chains around bridges and power plants in Iran, after the regime urged its citizens to protect the sites Trump has threatened to target, multiple outlets reported, citing photos shared in state and local media.
- The status of negotiations between Tehran and Washington were murky: The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials who said Tehran cut off negotiations after Trump issued his latest threat, while the Tehran Times reported negotiations were still open.
What To Watch For
Experts have warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure, as Trump has threatened, could amount to war crimes. Trump dismissed the possibility he could be charged with war crimes, telling reporters Monday he’s “not at all” concerned. Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s United Nations representative, said Tuesday during a Security Council session Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” would “constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide.” Iran, he said, “will exercise, without hesitation, its inherent right of self-defense and will take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures.”
Crucial Quote
Vice President J.D. Vance said Monday during a news conference in Hungary “there’s going to be a lot of negotiation between now and [Trump’s deadline], and I’m hopeful that it gets to a good resolution.” He said the war would conclude “very shortly,” but “the nature of the conclusion is ultimately up to the Iranians.”
Tangent
The U.S. military struck military sites on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, where Iran exports 90% of its oil, multiple outlets reported Tuesday, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
Key Background
Trump issued his initial threat Sunday in an expletive-laden Truth Social post, writing “Open the F—-in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell—JUST WATCH!” and said in a subsequent post that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day,” threatening to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure. The threats came shortly after the U.S. rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot flying in an F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran Friday. The other pilot was rescued shortly after the plane went down. Trump lauded the rescue mission as if it were a victory during a press conference Monday, despite criticism that the attack contradicts his repeated claims that Iran’s military has been decimated. He attributed the attack to “luck” when asked about the inconsistency on Monday. The U.S. rejected a new 10-point plan from Iran to end the war on Monday. Trump told reporters it was a step in the right direction, but needed to include “free traffic of oil, and everything else.” The details of the plan were unclear, but Iran has said previously that recognising its sovereignty over the strait must be part of any agreement to end the war.
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