SHAH ALAM - Since the United States (US) and Israel launched military attacks against Iran on Feb 28, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly made statements that have shocked global audiences.
His public remarks on the war have been characterised by volatility and unpredictability, ranging from profanity-laden threats against civilian infrastructure to unusually dramatic twists on traditional diplomatic language.
The following are his most controversial comments during this period:
Announcing ceasefire after saying "a whole civilisation will die tonight'
On Tuesday, it was reported that Trump said he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks on its civilian infrastructure.
The announcement marked the latest instance of Trump stepping back from his earlier harsh threats, after warning Iran earlier on Tuesday that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if his demands were not met.
Earlier, in a social media post before his deadline to bomb key infrastructure in Iran, Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”
Profanity-laced threat targeting infrastructure
On Sunday, on his Truth Social platform, he made an expletive-filled threat to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, demanding Iran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the the Strait of Hormuz to shipping as oil prices surge.
He warned of air strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, after celebrating the rescue of a wounded airman whose fighter jet went down inside Iran.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F---in’ Strait, you crazy b-----ds or you’ll be living in Hell. JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” Trump wrote.
Threat to “hit Iran extremely hard”
In a televised address in early April, Trump vowed to “hit Iran extremely hard.”
“We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong,” the US president said.
Claiming the war was “very close” to ending
Despite ongoing fighting, Trump asserted in the same address that the war was “very close” to being finished, a pronouncement that seemed premature given continued hostilities and diplomatic uncertainty, and appeared inconsistent with reports of active conflict.
Claiming Iran accepted US peace terms
In late March, Trump was reported to have claimed Tehran had accepted “most of” a 15-point list of US demands and that oil shipments would soon flow as proof.
Iran publicly denied these statements and that raised questions about the president’s grasp of negotiations.
Contradictory messages on talks and strikes
Across numerous public statements, Trump repeatedly mixed messages. At one point indicating that talks to end the war were underway and that strikes were paused, then later launching harsher threats if Iran did not act quickly.
This pattern of fluctuation generated criticism about coherence in US strategy.
Downplaying humanitarian impact
Trump’s addresses often focused on claims that forces had “decimated” Iranian military capabilities and that objectives were being achieved, even as oil markets were disrupted and civilian areas saw casualties.
These comments contrasted with independent reports on the war’s severe human and economic toll.
Trump’s rhetoric has had both strategic and diplomatic repercussions. By threatening to target civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges, his language raised alarms among international law experts about potential violations of the laws of war.
Strong ultimatums tied to economic lifelines like the Strait of Hormuz also escalated tensions globally, driving oil prices and prompting international concern.