Top Democrat calls Trump ‘extremely sick person’ after president posts death threats against Iran - live

Key Points:

• Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer condemned Donald Trump as an “extremely sick person” after Trump threatened on social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not reopen the strait of Hormuz by an 8pm ET deadline, warning Republicans who support the conflict share responsibility.
• Other Democrats, including Senator Chris Murphy, criticized Trump’s threats to target Iranian civilian infrastructure, highlighting the potential for mass civilian casualties and exacerbation of the global energy crisis amid ongoing US-Israeli military strikes on Iran.
• Vice-President JD Vance confirmed US strikes on Iranian military targets at Kharg Island but indicated energy and infrastructure attacks would only proceed if Iran fails to make acceptable proposals by the deadline, while Trump dismissed concerns about committing war crimes.
• Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, who resigned in protest of the war, warned that Trump’s aggressive stance risks undermining US global stability and superpower status, urging negotiations over military escalation.
• Amid heightened tensions, Trump held closed-door policy meetings in Washington, while the US partial government shutdown continues into its eighth week, with political disputes ongoing over funding Homeland Security agencies and immigration enforcement.