Trump threatens to bomb Iranian bridges, power plants over ship attacks
President Trump has threatened to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's military has stated it will retaliate against US infrastructure targets in the region if its facilities are struck. The escalation follows 12 days of exchanges between US and Iranian forces over control of the strategic waterway.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified sharply following a breakdown in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. The dispute centers on competing claims regarding passage through the waterway, with Iran asserting sovereignty and demanding coordination of transit, while the Trump administration insists the strait must function as an international free passage as it did before recent hostilities.
President Trump issued a specific warning via social media on Wednesday, stating that the US military will target Iranian civilian infrastructure—including bridges and power plants near Tehran—in response to any Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This represents an escalation from previous, more general threats made by the administration.
Iran's military establishment, through the Tasnim news agency, responded by indicating that Tehran would reciprocate any strikes on its infrastructure by targeting regional facilities and energy assets in which the United States holds interests. Iranian officials have maintained that passage through Hormuz remains safe provided it is coordinated with Tehran.
The current round of hostilities began approximately 12 days ago when ships transiting the strait on the Omani side without Iranian coordination were targeted. Since then, the US military has conducted strikes on Iranian military targets, civilian ports, and bridges, resulting in numerous casualties. Iran has responded with barrages of missiles and rockets directed at bases housing American troops across the region.
Casualties from the Iranian attacks include at least four US service members killed in Jordan and Iraq this month, with additional injuries reported. The Pentagon identified 28-year-old Angel Rampersad as the third fatality from an Iranian missile strike in Jordan. President Trump announced plans to attend a dignified transfer ceremony for fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, stating that Iran will face significant consequences for the deaths.
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