TAMARAC, Fla. — President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed back deadlines for Iran to cut a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz, but his latest Tuesday deadline came with his most severe warning yet: “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

The world is watching as the president’s 8 p.m. deadline approaches, and here in South Florida, members of the Iranian community are keeping a close eye on developments.

Many are reacting to recent sharp words from Trump, who posted on social media, doubling down on his ultimatum for Iran to end its blockage of Gulf oil.

For some in the community, it marks an important moment, but it also comes with mixed emotions, including concern, frustration and hope.

Local 10 News spoke with Orusha Ashrafi, a community activist in South Florida’s Iranian community who has organized rallies and demonstrations in the past. He said tonight could be a critical turning point.

“It’s a real threat. President Trump is not joking, he’s not bluffing, he’s a real man,” Ashrafi said. “If he says something, he can do it, but we are hoping, as we saw when he says something he does something else. The last time he gave them a timeline, he extended the timeline.”

He has been vocal about the direction of Iran well before recent U.S. military involvement in the region.

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