Former US President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran, threatening the destruction of the country's civilization if Tehran fails to meet a specific deadline. The threat emerged as the US and Iran approached a potential major escalation, with Pakistan also attempting mediation.

The United States and Iran appeared on the brink of a major escalation on Tuesday, with hours to go before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Tehran to accept a peace agreement, as Washington stepped up its threats and Pakistan renewed mediation efforts. Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran, threatening on Tuesday morning to wipe out the country’s civilisation if Tehran fails to comply by 8pm EST. “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” said the...