• What Happened: President Trump posted Tuesday morning that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again" if Iran fails to meet his 8 PM ET deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz or make a deal. U.S. forces simultaneously struck Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, with more than 50 strikes on military targets.
  • Why It Matters: Iran's civilians are forming human chains around power plants. Pakistan is begging for a two-week extension. Gas prices are heading to $4.30 a gallon. The IEA says this energy crisis is worse than 1973, 1979, and 2002 combined. The 8 PM deadline is hours away.
  • Bottom Line: Trump warned Iran for weeks. He rescued his colonel. He struck Kharg Island. Tonight, he finds out if Iran will deal or if the lights go out.

At just after 8 AM Tuesday morning, President Trump posted on Truth Social what may be the most consequential social media message in the history of American warfare.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. 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!"

The 8 PM ET deadline Trump set Sunday is now hours away. By the time most Americans sit down to dinner Tuesday night, they will know whether the president followed through.

The military is not waiting. U.S. forces struck Kharg Island Tuesday morning in more than 50 strikes on military targets, two U.S. officials confirmed to the Wall Street Journal. Kharg is Iran's main oil export hub, handling 20% of the world's oil flows before the war began. Bridges and a train station were also struck early Tuesday. It was the second time American forces have hit the island. Trump has previously threatened to seize it entirely, effectively taking control of Iran's economy.

Pakistan is desperately trying to stop what is coming. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly posted on X asking Trump for a two-week extension and urging Iran to open the strait as a goodwill gesture. "We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war," Sharif wrote. The White House said it would respond to Pakistan's request. No extension has been announced as of publication.

Democrats are calling for Congress to return from recess and vote to end the war. Some are invoking the 25th Amendment. Mitch McConnell backed Trump. "They've been at war with us for 47 years," McConnell said. "They killed Americans. No matter how this ends, they've been significantly diminished."

Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier by phone Tuesday morning that the 8 PM attack is happening. "He said 8 p.m. is happening," Baier relayed on air. "If we get to that point, there is going to be an attack like they have not seen."

There are hours left. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed. Kharg Island is already burning. And the president of the United States has told Iran that tonight, it faces a choice between a deal and the end of its civilization.

He has warned them before. This time he hit Kharg Island first and posted the warning second.

Tonight, the world finds out if Iran will deal or if the lights go out.