Donald Trump has warned of potential attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants, if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by his self-imposed Monday deadline.
The threat came through a strongly worded post on his Truth Social account on Sunday, where he reiterated prior warnings to strike critical infrastructure across Iran.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****** Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” Trump wrote.
On March 26, he had set a 10-day ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for the global energy market, where shipping has been stalled since U.S. and Israeli strikes began on February 28.
During an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, Trump said that Iran was in discussions with the U.S. and expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached before the deadline.
Iranian authorities have condemned Trump’s statements, promising retaliation for any attacks on their infrastructure.
“Once again, the U.S. president openly threatens to destroy infrastructure essential to civilian survival in Iran,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations stated in response.
“The international community and all states have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes. They must act now. Tomorrow is too late,” the statement added.
Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy communications official at the Iranian president’s office, emphasized that the strait would only reopen after reparations for war-related damages were settled.
He explained that these payments would come through a “new legal regime” around the strait, echoing previous Iranian statements that the country may impose transit fees on vessels passing through, even after hostilities end.
Tabatabaei dismissed Trump’s threats as desperate and irrational, stating that the U.S. had “resorted to obscenities and nonsense out of sheer desperation and anger.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran seeks a deal to end the conflict, suggesting that the war would soon conclude. Iran, however, has denied pursuing a ceasefire and has pledged to escalate operations if its infrastructure is targeted.
Throughout the conflict, U.S. officials have repeatedly threatened Iran with overwhelming force should the country fail to comply with U.S. demands. Last week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that Iran could be sent “back to the Stone Age.”
Civilian infrastructure, including bridges, schools, hospitals, and universities, has already been hit by U.S.-Israeli strikes, with experts cautioning that some of these attacks may qualify as war crimes.
When asked about the humanitarian impact of targeting facilities like bridges and power plants, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he was unconcerned. “No, they want us to do it,” he said, adding that Iranians are “living in hell.”
Trump also declined to specify when the war might end, promising only, “I will let you know pretty soon.”
He announced that a White House press briefing is scheduled for Monday.
In a separate update, Trump shared details about the rescue operation for an F-15E fighter jet pilot who was shot down over Iran on Friday.
“We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran,” he said on social media, praising the operation as “an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!”