Chicago – July 22, 2026
US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran, vowing to strike Iranian bridges or power plants each time Tehran targets ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Direct Threat Posted on Truth Social
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, Trump declared: “From this point forward, 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 device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran.”
The statement marks a renewal of earlier threats Trump made in April 2026, when he issued expletive-laden warnings demanding Iran reopen the strategic waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil shipments.
Iranian Response and Regional Risk
Iran has signaled it would retaliate in kind if its infrastructure is attacked. An Iranian military source told semi-official Tasnim news agency that Tehran would target “infrastructures and bridges in the region, including energy facilities in which the United States has interests.”
Analysts warn that such tit-for-tat strikes risk drawing the US and Iran into a broader conflict, with potential repercussions for global energy markets and regional security.
