US President Donald Trump has sharply escalated rhetoric against Iran, warning of imminent military action targeting key infrastructure if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all rolled into one, in Iran… Open the Straits… or live in hell.
The threat of coordinated strikes
Trump’s reference to “Power Plant Day” and “Bridge Day” signals possible coordinated U.S. strikes on Iran’s critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and transportation networks.
The warning is linked to a deadline set by Washington for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – a vital global oil shipping route.
The Hormuz crisis at the center
The Strait of Hormuz remains the focus of the crisis, with disruptions threatening global energy supplies. The waterway handles about a fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making its closure a major geopolitical flashpoint.
Trump has previously issued ultimatums and even briefly delayed strikes citing possible diplomatic progress. But the latest post signals a hardening stance and renewed military intent.
Growing regional tensions
The warning comes amid an already volatile situation in the Middle East with ongoing military exchanges involving Iran, the US and their allies.
Trump spoke to the media after the US rescued the downed pilots in Iran
Trump said he would hold a news conference in the Oval Office on Monday after the US military rescued two American pilots whose planes were shot down in Iran.
The rescue comes amid escalating hostilities in the ongoing conflict, which is now entering its sixth week.
The downing of US warplanes raises the stakes
Despite Trump earlier declaring Iran “defeated and completely decimated”, the downing of two US warplanes on Friday significantly escalated tensions.
Iranian authorities have also called for the capture of the “enemy pilot”, further raising the risk of retaliation and confrontation.
Iran issues stark warning of retaliation
Responding to Trump’s threats, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi warned that “the doors of hell will open” if Iran’s infrastructure is attacked.
He also threatened to target all infrastructure used by the US military throughout the region, signaling a potential escalation of the conflict.
The war enters its sixth week with growing myths
The war, which began with joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has killed more than 5,000 people, according to official estimates and the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Almost three-quarters of the casualties were reported in Iran. In Lebanon, where Israel is waging parallel fighting with Hezbollah, more than 1,400 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced.
Other victims include:
-More than two dozen dead in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and in the occupied West Bank
19 deaths were reported in Israel
– 13 US service members killed
Israel is stepping up attacks on targets linked to Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said military operations would continue, declaring: “We will continue to crush them.
He confirmed that Israeli forces had hit a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, which he said was helping to finance the war. Iranian state media reported five dead and 170 wounded in the attack.
Read also | Middle East conflict: US destroys two of its warplanes while rescuing pilot
