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Trump Ramps Up Threats Ahead of Iran Deadline

April 7, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Trump Ramps Up Threats Ahead of Iran Deadline

President Trump set an 8 p.m. Eastern deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning on social media that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." The threat drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, while on the ground in Iran, state media showed civilians forming human chains along bridges and assembling at power plants. The U.S. had already conducted strikes on more than 50 military targets on Khark Island, Iran's most strategic economic asset. Markets ended mixed, with oil settling at roughly $113 a barrel — a new 52-week high and the highest since June 2022.

The Iran Standoff Reaches a Breaking Point

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:33) **Trump Ramps Up Iran Threats Ahead of Strait of Hormuz Deadline** - President Trump issues a social media threat to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by 8 p.m. Eastern, warning "a whole civilization will die tonight."
  • 2 (02:36) **Bipartisan and International Backlash to Trump's Iran Threats** - Trump's threats draw rebukes from across the political spectrum and the UN.
  • 3 (03:28) **Iran Prepares Defenses as US Strikes Khark Island** - Iranians form human chains at power plants and bridges; the US conducts strikes on over 50 military targets on Khark Island, Iran's most strategic economic asset.
  • 4 (03:47) **Markets Mixed as Oil Hits New High on Iran Tensions** - Nasdaq and S&P 500 close up ~1%, Dow falls ~0.2%. US oil futures settle at ~$113, a new 52-week high.
  • 5 (05:53) **US Labor Force Participation Falls to 1977 Low** - The rate dropped to 61.9% in March, driven primarily by the aging population and baby boomer retirements.
  • 6 (08:03) **Older Workers Retiring Rather Than Learning AI** - The share of Americans over 55 in the workforce has slipped to 37.2%, the lowest in over 20 years.
  • 7 (11:04) **Intel Partners with Musk's Terrafab Project** - Intel teams up with SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla to design and package ultra-high-performance chips. Intel shares close up over 4%.

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Guests on this episode

Show Notes

P.M. Edition for April 7. Ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump’s escalating rhetoric has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle—and put investors on edge. Plus, a growing number of U.S. workers over the age of 55 are retiring—sometimes earlier than they expected—because they don’t want to learn how to use AI. Wall Street Journal reporter Ray Smith discusses. And Intel is teaming up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, xAI and Tesla to operate an ambitious new chip plant in Texas. Alex Ossola hosts.


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