International News

Condemned by Catholic Leaders, Trump Backs Down From Threat To Annihilate Iran

April 8, 2026
Demonstrators hold Iranian flags outside the White House in Washington April 7, 2026, during a protest against military action in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post late April 7 that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, with those remarks coming less than two hours before an 8 p.m. EDT deadline he had set that morning for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks on its civilian infrastructure. (Photo: OSV News/Nathan Howard, Reuters)

by OSV News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – In a post on his social media website Truth Social shortly before an 8 p.m. EDT deadline he set for April 7 to obliterate Iran, President Donald Trump said he would suspend the attacks for two weeks if Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil trade route. 

Earlier in the day, shortly after 8 a.m. EDT, Trump threatened that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran did not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT. Trump backed down from his threat to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilization,” citing negotiations with Pakistani mediators. Catholic leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, were among those who condemned the threat. 

“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said, “I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”

His initial threat prompted widespread and grave concern, as targeting civilians is generally a violation of international law. 

Earlier on April 7, while speaking to journalists at Castel Gandolfo and without naming Trump, Pope Leo called the threat “truly unacceptable.” Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also rebuked the president and urged him to find another course of action.

Reporters raise their hands to ask questions as U.S. President Donald Trump holds a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington April 6, 2026. Trump on April 7 sharply ramped up his threats against Iran, warning “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless the country’s leadership strikes a deal that involves reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: OSV News/Evan Vucci, Reuters)