US President Donald Trump has attracted widespread criticism after sending a new threat to strike Iran on Tuesday.

The President warned, “a whole civilisation will die tonight” in a shock Truth Social Post.

He added:”I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?”

In response, a number of commentators have condemned the President’s threat.

Journalist Aaron Ruper said: “I feel sick to my stomach waiting around today to see what atrocity Trump has in mind for the people of Iran this evening. It’s hard to fathom that our other elected leaders aren’t able to check him in any meaningful way. It’s really an indictment not just of the electorate but of our whole system of government. We’re ruled by a mad king.”

His former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene said: “25TH AMENDMENT!!! Not a single bomb has dropped on America. We cannot kill an entire civilization. This is evil and madness.”

Piers Morgan added: “This is a brazen pre-admission of genocide against the Iranian people, which would obviously be a war crime. Madness.”

Journalist Mehdi Hasan said: “These are the ravings of a homicidal maniac and sociopath and you voted for him even once, let along three times, hang your heads in shame.”

Left-wing commentator Owen Jones posted: “Donald Trump is clearly threatening to use nuclear weapons against Iran. He needs to be removed as President to prevent a catastrophe that our species will never recover from.”

President Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which ends tonight.

But Tehran has continued to prevent ships from crossing through the vital trading route,sparking economic chaos as oil prices soar.