Trump’s ‘Civilization’ Warning on Iran Fuels Nuclear Speculation, White House Denies It

President Donald Trump and his administration stepped up their rhetoric ahead of a deadline for talks with Iran, invoking the destruction of “civilization” and “means” never used before. The comments prompted speculation in some quarters that the US was hinting at the possible use of nuclear weapons, which the White House quickly denied.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on June 7 that “an entire civilization will disappear tonight and never return.” The post drew attention because it came about 12 hours before the deadline he had set for negotiations: 8 p.m. Eastern time on June 7, or 9 a.m. in South Korea on June 8.

Politico reported that Trump’s remarks had raised fears of a worst-case scenario, including the possible use of nuclear weapons against Iran.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a news conference during a visit to Hungary the same day, also delivered a hard-line message. He said Iran should remember that “there are means we have never decided to use until now,” adding that if Tehran did not change its behavior, “we will actually use those means.”

The remarks also fueled speculation that Vance was referring to nuclear weapons.

The White House rejected that interpretation. Its rapid response team wrote on X that nothing in the vice president’s comments suggested nuclear weapons.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said in a statement that Iran had until 8 p.m. Eastern time to respond appropriately and reach an agreement with the US, according to The Hill. She added that only the president could decide how far the current situation had progressed and what action to take.

Some observers say Trump’s and Vance’s remarks may have been intended less as a signal of nuclear use than as a last-minute effort to increase pressure ahead of the negotiating deadline.

Kim So-yeon, Hankyung.com reporter sue123@hankyung.com