Trump’s Iran deal deadline: ‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’

Trump’s Iran deal deadline: ‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’

What will happen after Donald Trump’s midnight deadline for Iran to strike a deal?

The US president has issued a series of increasingly hardline threats to Tehran to force it sue for peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, from the complete demolition of all of its bridges and power plants to destroying its entire civilisation.

Venetia Rainey is joined by senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan to discuss Trump’s latest ultimatum, the frantic peace talks underway to avoid further escalation, and the possible impact on Iranians of such a widespread campaign of destruction.

Plus, they discuss China’s fuel shipments to the Iranian regime, the fallout from the latest attacks on the Gulf, and how Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon is heightening sectarian tensions among local communities.

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey
Sophia Yan, senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Akhtar Makoii: How Trump is turning Iran into a full military dictatorship: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/05/donald-trump-iran-military-dictatorship-middle-east-irgc/

Adrian Blomfield: Ceasefire remains unlikely while both Iran and the US think they’re winning: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/06/ceasefire-unlikely-iran-usa-both-believe-winning/

Producer: Max Bower
Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

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