Farage says Trump's Iran threats went way too far

British political figure Nigel Farage has publicly rebuked Donald Trump over his latest inflammatory remarks about Iran, saying the former U.S. president's threat that Iran's 'civilisation will die' went 'way too far.' Farage, who has often aligned himself with Trump in the past, said he was 'shocked' by the language, describing it as 'over the top in every single way.'

The comments followed a weekend of heightened tension after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping lane, or face 'devastating consequences.' The Iranian government has so far dismissed the threat, with officials in Tehran calling it a 'desperate bluff' and vowing to continue their naval exercises in the region.

On the ground in Iran, reactions have been a mix of defiance and concern. Some citizens told international reporters they were angered by what they saw as American bullying, while others questioned how the U.S. had shifted so dramatically from its stated values. 'This is not the America I learned about in school,' said one Tehran university student. 'Threats like this only deepen the divide.'

Farage's criticism stands out because of his long-standing support for Trump's foreign policy approach, particularly on Iran. But in this case, he argued that measured diplomacy should take precedence over what he called 'apocalyptic language.' 'There's a time for strong words, but this crosses a line,' Farage said during a live political update. 'Even if you believe Iran needs to be pressured, this kind of talk doesn't help anyone.'

The Biden administration has not issued a formal response, but senior officials have privately expressed unease about the potential for such rhetoric to destabilize an already fragile situation. Meanwhile, European leaders are urging restraint, with France and Germany calling for emergency talks through the UN Security Council.

Analysts warn that while Trump's comments may be aimed at rallying his domestic base ahead of the 2028 election, they could have real-world consequences in a region where miscalculation has led to conflict before. 'Rhetoric at this level can escalate fast,' said one Middle East policy expert. 'When leaders start talking about entire civilizations vanishing, it stops being policy and starts being provocation.'

For now, the Strait remains partially restricted, and oil markets are watching closely. But the bigger question may be whether political figures like Farage-who once embraced Trump's style-are starting to see its limits when applied to global crises.