September 10, 2026
Trump’s repeated threats to ‘wipe out’ Iran are normalizing mass violence | Mohamad Bazzi
In a recent article, Mohamad Bazzi highlights the alarming normalization of Donald Trump's threats to "wipe out" Iran amidst escalating tensions in the region. As Trump continues to issue dire warnings of mass violence, including the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the lack of significant media coverage reflects a troubling desensitization to such rhetoric. Bazzi argues that this shift not only undermines international law but also fosters a dangerous precedent for large-scale violence as a legitimate aspect of warfare. He calls for greater awareness and accountability, emphasizing that the implications of Trump's threats extend far beyond mere bravado, potentially paving the way for war crimes.
Stoic Response
Correspondence to a Roman Magistrate
1. The Weight of Words: A Cautionary Tale
Esteemed Magistrate, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where the utterances of leaders bear consequences that ripple through the fabric of our society. As Seneca wisely noted, “A good character, when established, is not easily shaken.” Yet, the threats of annihilation echo from the highest offices, normalizing a discourse that once would have been deemed unthinkable. In the face of Donald Trump’s alarming vow to “totally wipe out” Iran, we must ask: what becomes of our moral compass when such rhetoric is met with indifference?
2. The Stakes of Desensitization
Bazzi’s observations reveal a grave reality: the normalization of threats against civilian infrastructure erodes our adherence to international law. When leaders speak of obliterating nations, they not only invoke fear but also desensitize the populace to violence. “A whole civilization will die tonight,” he proclaimed, yet such statements elicit little more than fleeting outrage. The stakes are high, as these words pave the way for potential war crimes, undermining the very principles of humanity we hold dear.
3. The Echoes of History: A Call to Accountability
As Musonius Rufus would remind us, “The greatest good is to live in accordance with nature and reason.” In our current epoch, it is reason that must prevail over the chaos of threats and violence. The international community, particularly those of us in positions of influence, must resist the temptation to normalize such rhetoric. The failure to hold leaders accountable for their words and actions not only jeopardizes lives but also sets a dangerous precedent for future governance.
4. Practical Maxims for the Magistrate
Let us take heed of the following maxims as we navigate these turbulent waters:
- Uphold the Law: Ensure that rhetoric aligns with the tenets of justice and humanity.
- Foster Awareness: Educate the populace on the implications of desensitization to violence.
- Demand Accountability: Encourage leaders to be held responsible for their words, lest they become mere instruments of chaos.
- Champion Peace: Advocate for dialogue and diplomacy over threats and destruction.
In these uncertain times, let us strive to be the guardians of reason and humanity, for the legacy we leave will echo through the ages.
Article Rewritten Through Stoic Lens
The Stoic Perspective on External Threats
Understanding the Dichotomy of Control
Dear students, let us reflect on the recent events that have unfolded in the realm of international relations, particularly regarding the rhetoric surrounding conflict. In our lives, we often encounter situations that evoke strong emotions and reactions. However, as Stoics, we must remember the fundamental principle of the dichotomy of control: we can only control our judgments and actions, not the external events themselves.
The Threat of Violence: A Moment for Discipline
When we hear the alarming threats from leaders such as Donald Trump, who speaks of "wiping out" nations, we must practice discipline in our responses. Such statements may provoke fear and outrage, yet we must recognize that our emotional reactions are within our control. Instead of succumbing to panic, let us cultivate a measured response, grounded in reason and virtue.
Judgment in the Face of Provocation
Consider the normalization of such rhetoric. It is easy to become desensitized to threats of violence when they are repeated frequently. This is a call for us to exercise our judgment. We must not allow ourselves to accept these threats as mere bravado; instead, we should critically evaluate their implications. This is an opportunity to practice discernment and to refuse to be swept away by the tide of public opinion.
Right Action Amidst Chaos
In the face of threats that may lead to war crimes, we are reminded of our duty to uphold justice and humanity. While we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our own. Let us advocate for accountability and awareness, speaking out against the normalization of violence. This is how we embody the Stoic ideal of right action, standing firm in our principles even when the world around us seems to falter.
The Power of Awareness
As we observe the reactions—or lack thereof—from media and society, we must remain vigilant. The desensitization to violence is a reflection of a broader moral decay. It is our responsibility to cultivate awareness, to question the narratives presented to us, and to foster a culture that values peace over aggression. This is a chance to practice the Stoic virtue of wisdom.
The Role of Leadership and Impunity
We see that the actions of leaders can shape the moral landscape of nations. The impunity displayed by those in power, who threaten destruction without consequence, challenges us to reflect on our own values. As Stoics, we must strive to be leaders in our own right, embodying integrity and justice in our lives. This is how we counter the chaos with our own steadfastness.
Conclusion: Embracing Stoic Principles
In conclusion, let us approach the troubling events in the world with a Stoic mindset. We cannot control the threats posed by others, but we can control our responses. By practicing discipline, exercising sound judgment, and committing to right action, we can navigate the tumultuous waters of life with grace and virtue. Remember, it is not the events that define us, but how we choose to respond to them.
Source Body Text
As the US and Iran fought around the strait of Hormuz last week, Donald Trump issued one of his typical threats. In an interview with a Fox News correspondent, Trump said Iran would be “totally wiped out as a country” if it retaliated for the latest wave of US airstrikes. That threat by the US president to wipe out another country generated few headlines, even during a relatively slow news week by Trump administration standards. Trump has delivered this kind of warning so frequently over the past six months of his war against Iran that it hardly registers any more. But it’s important not to normalize Trump’s threats, which are usually accompanied by promises to devastate Iran’s infrastructure – vowing to destroy bridges and power plants. Those kinds of attacks would constitute war crimes under international law. The president’s repeated vows to obliterate Iran are usually written off by other western leaders and the news media as typical of Trump’s bravado and unpredictability, but they have real-world consequences. By treating Trump’s rhetoric as normal, US and western societies are becoming more desensitized to the idea of large-scale violence – including the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure – as a legitimate kind of warfare. And of course, Israel’s war on Gaza has inured many in the western world to wholesale atrocities, including intense aerial bombardment that leads to massive civilian casualties and displacement. Trump set the stage for apocalyptic threats against Iran weeks into the war, when it became clear that the US would not achieve the quick military victory he was hoping for. On 7 April, as he vacillated between agreeing to a ceasefire and ordering even more intense bombing, Trump ominously declared in a social media post: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” In the days leading up to that statement, Trump had issued a series of warnings that the US would destroy Iran’s infrastructure unless it reopened the strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquid gas supplies flowed before Tehran effectively shut the waterway at the start of the war. On 1 April, in a primetime address from the White House, Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages, where they belong”. On 6 April, Trump claimed that Iran “could be taken out in one night” and said the US had a plan to destroy every bridge and power plant in the country, leaving that infrastructure “burning, exploding, and never to be used again” – a statement announcing his intention to commit war crimes. Trump set a deadline of 8pm ET on 7 April for Iranian leaders to comply with his demands. As that deadline neared, Trump shared his now infamous post on his Truth Social network that promised to erase Iran’s civilization. That threat to carry out large-scale war crimes against a country of 90 million people prompted outrage around the world, with condemnation from the UN secretary general and the pope. Some human rights experts argued that Trump’s statement may constitute a threat to commit genocide, which is defined by the UN’s Genocide Convention as acts committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. Shortly before Trump’s deadline expired, Pakistan’s prime minister announced that the US and Iran had agreed to an immediate ceasefire. But Trump never apologized or retracted his statement. And why should he feel any pressure to do so, despite the momentary outrage his words caused? In today’s world, there are no consequences for threatening – or carrying out – a genocide. Trump’s threat to obliterate Iran is partly a manifestation of a new international order that emerged over the past three years, as the US supplied billions of dollars in weapons and protected Israel as it carried out a genocidal war in Gaza. In his second term, Trump has behaved more erratically and like an autocrat drunk with power. But he has also taken advantage of a nascent global order, in which western leaders destroyed decades of international norms and the facade of rule of law – all to enable Israel to continue its bloodshed in Gaza, and more recently, in Lebanon. As they did with Gaza, most western powers and leaders have become numb to the loss and suffering of Palestinians, Iranians, Lebanese and others in the Middle East. And as long as this numbness and impunity continue, it will become normal for the US president to threaten wholesale destruction of societies and civilizations, as Trump has done in Iran. While Trump can be dismissed as an unpredictable, or even irrational, world leader who scorns global institutions and norms – the epitome of the “madman theory” of US foreign policy – his predecessor Joe Biden helped paved the way for the current age of impunity we’re living in. Biden, along with other western leaders who provided unwavering support to Israel after the Hamas attacks in October 2023, defied and weakened international law in order to shield Israel long before Trump returned to office in early 2025. For 15 months, the Biden administration undermined global institutions – including the international court of justice (ICJ) and the international criminal court (ICC) – to help Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, avoid facing consequences for their war crimes in Gaza. Biden and other western leaders rendered international law meaningless after their inaction and obstruction in Gaza – and it was only a matter of time before Trump abandoned any pretense of lofty rhetoric about human rights and rule of law. Trump prefers to flaunt American military power and his ability to inflict massive destruction on US enemies. The normalization of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza has rippled across the world, including the expanding regional war that engulfed Iran and the US. It has also diluted international outrage at Trump’s repeated threats to destroy Iran, even within a period of months. While Trump’s apocalyptic warning in April that “a whole civilization will die” prompted global condemnation, his subsequent rhetoric has barely registered. In July, Trump claimed that the US would bomb one Iranian bridge or power plant in retaliation for each time Iran fired at a ship in the strait of Hormuz. That kind of retaliation against civilian targets would be a war crime, but Trump has made such threats seem mundane and a normal part of warfare. At the very least, Americans and the rest of the world should call him out on it. Mohamad Bazzi is a Guardian US columnist. He is also director of the Center for Near Eastern Studies and a journalism professor at New York University