U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.
In a post on social media on Wednesday, Trump vowed to retaliate against any Iranian assault on shipping through the strategic waterway, which is vital to global oil and gas exports.
“Any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by missile, rocket, drone, or any other weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant,” Trump wrote.
The latest warning comes after talks between the United States and Iran reportedly collapsed, with Tehran reimposing its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacking vessels attempting to pass through the route.
The disruption has unsettled global markets, pushing oil prices higher and increasing pressure on the Trump administration as the conflict enters its fifth month.
Despite the growing tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to resolving the crisis through diplomacy.
“We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way. But right now, they don’t seem to be serious about that,” Rubio said during a meeting in Manila.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said diplomatic contacts with the United States were still ongoing through mediators.
Reports also indicated that a U.S. missile strike hit Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with Iranian authorities assessing the extent of the damage.
The U.S. military confirmed it had carried out an 11th consecutive night of strikes targeting military sites in Iran, saying the operations were aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.
Trump also suggested that Pickaxe Mountain (Kolang), a site near Natanz suspected by Western intelligence of housing a secret nuclear enrichment facility, could become a future military target.
Iran warned that any attack on the site would be viewed as an expansion of the war and threatened retaliation against U.S. interests and its allies across the region.
As the conflict intensified, Iran launched fresh attacks targeting U.S.-allied countries in the Gulf. Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted Iranian drones, while Jordan reported shooting down four missiles and four drones. Air raid sirens also sounded in Bahrain.
The escalating conflict has also raised fears over global energy supplies, with Brent crude oil briefly rising above $95 per barrel before easing later in the day.
Source: AFP.
