President Donald Trump delivered an unusually blunt message to the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling on Iranians to open the Strait of Hormuz or face unprecedented destruction.
"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," the president wrote on Truth Social. "There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."
Despite the harsh language, Trump stopped short of repeating his earlier threat to strike Iran's oil industry – likely out of concern over the potential for further fuel price increases worldwide. On Saturday, Trump published a warning to Iran, making clear that 48 hours remained on the ultimatum he had set for the Ayatollah regime. Since then, no known progress has been made in negotiations to end the war, and it remains unclear what, if any, diplomatic efforts are underway.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a statement Sunday filled with praise for the rescue of the American pilot, dedicating it to President Trump. "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on the rescue of a brave American pilot by America's courageous warriors. All Israelis rejoice in this remarkable operation. It proves that when free societies act with courage and determination, they can overcome the forces of darkness and terror. This operation reinforces a sacred principle: no one is left behind."
Netanyahu added, "As someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost my brother in the Entebbe rescue, I know what a bold decision this was. My dear friend, once again, your leadership brought a great victory to America. I salute you. We all do."
In a Fox News interview on Sunday, Trump escalated his rhetoric further. "If they don't make a deal, and fast – I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil. And power plants will fall across their country," he said. At the same time, Trump expressed optimism that a deal was within reach. "I think there's a good chance it happens tomorrow," he said. The president added that senior Iranian officials had been granted temporary immunity from assassination and were continuing talks.
Trump also revealed that earlier this year, after the Iranian regime had, by his account, massacred 40,000 citizens who took to the streets, the US sent weapons to the protesters. "We sent weapons to the protesters, a lot of weapons," he said, before adding he thinks the Kurds kept them for themselves.
According to the Wall Street Journal, in recent days, Trump's close advisers had raised with him the justification for striking Iran's power plants and bridges, arguing that their destruction could cripple Tehran's missile and nuclear programs.
Among those who backed the legal rationale for targeting civilian infrastructure was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who advised Trump that roads and bridges could be struck on the grounds that the Iranian military might use them to transport missiles and raw materials for drone production.
A White House official added that power plants were legitimate military targets, since their destruction could trigger civil unrest that would impede any Iranian attempt to break out toward a nuclear weapon.
Despite this, according to the Wall Street Journal, senior current and former military officials warned that striking civilian infrastructure as a negotiating tool is unlawful.
The threat also raised alarm among Gulf states, which conveyed their concerns directly to Trump administration officials. According to the report, they fear that strikes on Iranian power plants would invite retaliatory blows against their own energy infrastructure. Iran struck a major desalination facility in Kuwait on Friday, and after Israel struck a large Iranian gas field last month, Iran retaliated by striking a Qatari gas field. Iran has warned that if the threat is carried out, it will move against all energy and desalination facilities in the region.
