On Tuesday, President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless the Iranian government agrees to a deal and reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz. This announcement has left many Iranians grappling with a mix of emotions, ranging from optimism to hopelessness.
Trump has set a new deadline of 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, which corresponds to 3:30 a.m. in Tehran on April 8, for Iran to negotiate a peace agreement or face severe repercussions, including the destruction of critical infrastructure throughout the country.
An internet blackout enforced by the Iranian authorities has complicated communication with citizens inside the nation, making it challenging to assess the public sentiment. However, some individuals have managed to reach out to ABC News with their thoughts.
Fatemeh, a 40-year-old engineer from Tehran, expressed her strong opposition to the Iranian regime in a written message, stating, “I wish for their downfall with every fiber of my being. I have taken part in protests against them. Yet, I cannot support a foreign power dismantling what my people have built for our future.” Due to safety concerns, she requested her identity remain confidential.
Sohreh, a 33-year-old journalist in Tehran, reflected on the conflict that erupted following a joint U.S.-Israel attack on February 28. She recalled moments of elation when it seemed the Iranian regime was on the verge of collapse, juxtaposed with the disappointment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ refusal to back down. “When I heard of Khamenei’s death, I was so overjoyed that I danced until I fell,” she shared, referring to the assassination of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
However, as the war continues into its 39th day, Sohreh expressed concern about the conflict’s persistence. “We wonder what will happen if the war goes on,” she said, reflecting on the recent Israeli strike on Iran’s petrochemical facilities in Asaluyeh. “When they targeted Asaluyeh, the mood was grim. Those facilities do not belong to the regime; they were built for the Iranian people and their future.”
In a chilling post on his social media platform, Trump stated, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” He added, “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have achieved Complete and Total Regime Change, perhaps something profoundly positive can emerge.” Trump characterized the moment as potentially pivotal in history, emphasizing the end of “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death,” while expressing his support for the Iranian populace.
This statement followed Trump’s remarks during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, where he claimed that the Iranian people are distressed when they do not hear bombings, asserting that they desire the sounds of conflict as a sign of their longing for freedom. He claimed that fear of immediate violence prevents civilians from protesting against their government.
Leila, a 36-year-old shipping manager in Tehran, echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating that the absence of bombings leaves her feeling “upset.” Identifying as anti-regime, she conveyed her hope for the day when American forces would arrive in Iran to assist the citizens. In a previous message, she expressed her lack of fear regarding missile attacks, expressing joy at witnessing strikes against the IRGC’s bases.
Darius, a 38-year-old anthropologist from Tehran, shared in a message that his initial anti-regime stance has evolved amid the ongoing bombings. “The sound of the bombs and the reality of civilian casualties are pushing us toward unity,” he wrote. “While I do not align with the Iranian state, I feel compelled to stand with them against an adversary like the one in the White House.”
According to a report by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 3,546 individuals in Iran, including 244 children and 1,616 other civilians, since hostilities commenced.
