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President Donald Trump on Sunday escalated tensions with Iran, threatening to strike civilian infrastructure if Tehran does not move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Strait, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!”
The president’s comments marked one of his most explicit threats yet to target Iranian infrastructure, raising concerns among legal experts and foreign policy analysts about potential violations of international law.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, has become a flashpoint in recent days after Iran signaled it could restrict maritime traffic amid escalating hostilities with the United States.
Trump reiterated earlier warnings that U.S. forces could strike Iran’s “electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island,” a critical hub for the country’s oil exports. Nearly all of Iran’s crude shipments pass through the island, making it a strategic target in any potential conflict.
International law generally prohibits deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power plants and desalination facilities, particularly when such strikes could disproportionately harm civilians. Experts say targeting those sites without clear military necessity could constitute war crimes.
The White House sought to temper concerns following Trump’s remarks. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the United States “will always act within the confines of the law,” without directly addressing the president’s specific threats.
The rhetoric comes amid a rapidly escalating standoff between Washington and Tehran. Trump has given Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the strait or face severe consequences, warning of “all Hell” if the waterway remains closed.
Iranian officials have responded with threats of their own, signaling they could target U.S. infrastructure and military assets across the Middle East if attacked.
The intensifying exchange has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could disrupt global energy markets and draw in additional international actors.
It remains unclear whether the administration is preparing for imminent military action or using the threats as leverage to force Iran to reopen the critical shipping lane.
