U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks during the signing ceremony for an executive order on mail ballots, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., March 31, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
President Donald Trump's gambit to force Iran to negotiate has reportedly backfired.
"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump warned on Tuesday in a Truth Social post.
Wall Street Journal national security reporter Alex Ward revealed that Iran had reacted by cutting off direct communication with the Trump administration.
"Iran has cut off direct communications with the U.S. over President Trump's threat to destroy Iran's 'whole civilization' Monday morning, though talks with cease-fire mediators continue, Middle Eastern officials said," Ward reported on X.
"Unclear if direct talks will resume before the deadline," he added.
