President Trump [AFP=Yonhap News] 

President Donald Trump raised the stakes on April 7 (local time), the deadline for negotiations with Iran, stating, "All of civilization could disappear tonight, never to be seen again."

Trump made this statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, adding, "I hope that does not happen, but it probably will."

Trump had set the deadline for negotiations with the warring nation of Iran for 8 PM Eastern Time on April 7. He had previously warned that if an agreement was not reached, he would destroy Iran's power plant infrastructure and bridges.

Trump continued, "But perhaps if there is a complete and total change of government, and some very smart, very capable people come to power, something revolutionary and wonderful could happen. Who knows?"

This is interpreted as an opening for a negotiated settlement, by mentioning the possibility of new negotiating parties emerging after the current leadership is removed through military action against Iran.

"We will know one of the most important moments in the long and difficult history of the world, tonight," Trump said. "Forty-seven years of evil, corruption and death will finally be over."

He concluded his post by saying, "God bless the great people of Iran!"