LIVE | 'Whole civilisation will die tonight': Trump warns Iran
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, though he did not specify any immediate military action or event tied to the claim
Here is the top, trending news of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, including the Iran war, Indian politics, states’ politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Scroll below for Live updates.Live Updates
- 7 April 2026 2:11 PM IST
Trump faces Iran strike deadline amid internal divide
US President Donald Trump is approaching a high-stakes deadline, weighing whether to follow through on threats to strike Iran’s infrastructure or allow more time for diplomacy. The decision, expected by 8 pm ET, comes as negotiations remain uncertain and tensions continue to build.
“If the president sees a deal is coming together, he'll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision,” a senior administration official said, while another defence official expressed doubt about any delay.
Trump has warned of attacks on bridges and power plants, raising fears of civilian harm and wider regional fallout. Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to avert escalation or secure additional time.
“The president is the most bloodthirsty, like a mad dog,” another US official said. “Those guys sound like the doves compared to the president.”
Despite ongoing talks, Trump has signalled the scale of potential action: “The entire country could be taken out in one night,” adding, “We don't want that to happen.”
- 7 April 2026 2:06 PM IST
Asian shares rise cautiously as oil surges on Iran tensions
Asian markets closed mostly higher Tuesday, though trading carried a cautious tone as oil prices kept climbing ahead of a US deadline tied to Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was nearly flat at 53,429.56, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.7 per cent and South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.8 per cent. China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.3 per cent, with Hong Kong shut for a holiday.
Wall Street extended gains, with the S&P 500 up 0.4 per cent, the Dow Jones adding 165 points, and the Nasdaq rising 0.5 per cent, following its first weekly advance in six weeks.
Oil remained elevated, with US crude at USD114.82 and Brent at USD111.23, far above pre-war levels near USD70. Prices have swung sharply amid uncertainty over the conflict and supply disruptions.
The Mizuho Daily said Trump’s moves mark “an escalation cycle that has now been extended several times since his first ultimatum in late March,” adding “hopes of a complete resolution to the conflict remain elusive.”
- 7 April 2026 2:04 PM IST
Iran President says 14 million ready to die as US deadline looms
With a US deadline approaching, Iran’s president said Tuesday that millions of citizens have stepped forward, offering to give their lives as the conflict intensifies.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, posting on X, claimed that 14 million Iranians — including himself — had volunteered. His remarks came just before US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, which threatens strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran does not ease its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The number he cited is significantly higher than earlier figures circulated by state media, which had pointed to smaller volunteer counts gathered through text campaigns and official messaging. Iran’s population stands at roughly 90 million, and public anger toward the government remains, particularly after its crackdown on widespread protests in recent years.
“More than 14 million Iranian people have declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives in the (self-sacrificing) campaign,” Pezeshkian wrote. “I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran.”
- 7 April 2026 2:02 PM IST
Israel signals rail targets, warns Iranians to avoid trains
Israel’s military has issued a warning in Farsi urging Iranians to avoid rail travel, hinting at a possible expansion of targets as the five-week conflict deepens. In its message, it said their "presence on trains and near railway tracks" can "endanger" their lives.
"For your safety, we ask you to refrain from using trains or travelling by train throughout the country from now until 9:00 pm Iran time," the military wrote.
"Your presence on trains and near railway tracks puts your life in danger."
The advisory comes despite Iran’s ongoing internet restrictions, which have limited access to such alerts, though satellite channels continue to relay them. Fresh Israeli strikes were reported early Tuesday, followed by Iranian missile launches toward Israel and parts of the Gulf.
Tensions have intensified after Tehran rejected a US ceasefire offer, instead seeking a permanent end to hostilities. US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric, saying, "The entire country can be taken out in one night."
- 7 April 2026 12:14 PM IST
Israeli military issues warning in Farsi to Iranians to avoid taking trains
The Israeli military warned Iranians in Farsi on Tuesday to avoid taking trains until at least 9 pm local time, likely signalling a new target for its airstrikes.
The warning came in a post on X. “Your presence puts your life at risk,” the warning read.
Iran has shut off access to the internet for weeks, making it difficult for average Iranians to see these warnings. However, Farsi-language satellite news networks abroad do report them, allowing the information to make its way back into the Islamic Republic.
- 7 April 2026 11:29 AM IST
Iran calls for human chains around power plants
Iran has reportedly urged young citizens to form symbolic “human chains” around key power plants ahead of a looming US deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Sports and Youth called on athletes, artists, and students to gather at the sites from 2 pm local time (4 pm IST) on Tuesday.The timing is significant, as the demonstration is set to begin roughly 13 hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline expires at 3.30 am (local time) Wednesday (5.30 am IST). Officials say the initiative was proposed by youth groups themselves, aiming to show solidarity and resilience.Deputy of Youth Affairs Alireza Rahimi confirmed in a video message that university students, artists, and youth organizations suggested forming a “human ring” around the plants. He emphasized that the action reflects the determination of Iran’s younger generation to protect national assets during heightened tensions. - 7 April 2026 11:25 AM IST
Mojtaba Khamenei unconscious, receiving treatment in Qom: Report
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, is reportedly incapacitated after being wounded in US-Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. A diplomatic memo cited by The Times claims the 56-year-old cleric is unconscious and receiving treatment for a “severe” condition in the holy city of Qom, marking the first time his location has been revealed.Qom, considered the religious capital of Iran, is also where Ali Khamenei’s body is being prepared for burial. Reports suggest groundwork is underway for a large mausoleum that could house multiple family members, raising speculation that Mojtaba himself may be interred there if his condition worsens.Iran has acknowledged that Mojtaba was injured in the same strike that killed his father, mother, wife Zahra Haddad-Adel, and one of his sons. Since then, he has not appeared publicly, with statements attributed to him read on state television and even an AI-generated video released to project his leadership.Despite Tehran’s insistence that Mojtaba is “in charge,” conflicting reports continue to circulate about his health — ranging from coma treatment to broken bones and facial injuries. Neither Washington nor Tehran has officially commented on the claims, leaving uncertainty over the true state of Iran’s leadership. - 7 April 2026 11:04 AM IST
Bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain closed over Iranian threats
The King Fahd Causeway, a key bridge linking Saudi Arabia to the island kingdom of Bahrain, closed early on Tuesday over threats from Iranian attacks.
The King Fahd Causeway Authority made the announcement in a post on X.
It said vehicle movements had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” over Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
The 25-km bridge is the only connection by road for Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, to the Arabian Peninsula.
US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if it doesn't by Tuesday 8 pm EDT (Wednesday 6.30 am IST). - 7 April 2026 10:59 AM IST
Guterres ‘alarmed’ by Trump rhetoric on Iranian energy plants
UN chief Antonio Guterres is “alarmed” by the social media post from US President Donald Trump that threatened American attacks on power plants, bridges and other infrastructure should Iran not agree to open the Strait of Hormuz, his spokesperson has said.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said the latter has been very clear on issues regarding international law, and he urges yet again all parties to abide by their obligations regarding the conduct of these hostilities.
Guterres recalls that civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, may not be attacked; “even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective, international humanitarian law would still prohibit attacks against them if they may be expected to cause excessive incidental civilian harm.
“Once again, the Secretary-General reaffirms that it's high time for the parties to stop this conflict, as there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes,” Dujarric said.
When asked if the Secretary-General thought such attacks could constitute war crimes, Dujarric said they would constitute violations of international law, and “whether something is a crime or not a crime would have to be decided by a court, but any attack on civilian infrastructure is a violation of international law and a very clear one.”
Last week, in a clear message to the US, Israel and Iran, Guterres called for dialogue to end the West Asia conflict that has now entered its second month. “My message is clear. To the United States and Israel, it is high time to stop the war that is inflicting immense human suffering and already triggering devastating economic consequences. To Iran, to stop attacking their neighbours,” Guterres had said.
“Conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction. That choice still exists. And it must be made—now,” he said. “We are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe,” the UN chief had said.
- 7 April 2026 7:27 AM IST
Iran war left mark on NATO, rift began with Greenland: Trump
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), accusing the alliance and other friendly nations such as South Korea, Japan and Australia of failing to help the US in the Iran war.
Trump's remarks at a press conference at the White House on Monday came days ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Washington to meet the US President, who has dismissed the alliance as a "paper tiger".
Trump said the war with Iran had left a mark on NATO "that will never disappear in my mind." The US President made it clear that the differences with NATO began when it spurned his move to take Greenland.
"NATO is a paper tiger that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's not afraid of," Trump told reporters here.
On the Iran war, Trump said NATO members actually "went out of their way not to help".
"Look, we went to NATO. I didn't ask very strongly, I just said, 'Hey, if you want to help, great'," the US President said.
"'No, no, no, we will not help,'" Trump said he was told, while not saying who he spoke to.
Trump said NATO members were now trying to engage with him and offer support only after the United States had already won the war. "They're coming to see me on Wednesday," he said, adding that "all of a sudden" they now wanted to send help.
"Japan didn't help us, Australia didn't help us, South Korea didn't help us, and then you get to NATO - NATO didn't help us," Trump said.
"We've got 50,000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea; we have 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un," Trump said.
Trump said he gets along "very well" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"You know who else didn't help us? South Korea didn't help us. You know who else didn't help us? Australia didn't help us. You know who else didn't help us? Japan," Trump said.
"But we have 45,000 people, soldiers in harm's way, right next to Kim Jong-un with a lot of nuclear weapons—45,000—what should have never happened," he said.
"If a certain president, I'm not going to mention this president, I happen to like him, believe it or not, but if a certain president did his job, Kim Jong-un would not have nuclear weapons, but they're all afraid to do their job properly," Trump said.
He also suggested that the widening rift between the United States and NATO began earlier, when he first proposed taking over Greenland.
"It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland," Trump said.
"We want Greenland. They don't want to give it to us. And I said, 'bye, bye'," the US President said.
