President Donald Trump has declared that if Iran attacks commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will retaliate by destroying one bridge or power plant in Iran for each incident. According to Axios on July 22, Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social, "From now on, whenever the Islamic Republic of Iran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, rockets, drones, or any other devices or weapons, the United States will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant inside or near Tehran."
This statement comes as the U.S. government considers various options, including a ceasefire and increased attacks on Iran. Initially, the U.S. emphasized the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the freedom of navigation for commercial vessels in a memorandum of understanding with Iran. However, tensions escalated as Iran insisted on maintaining its control over the region. Axios reported that over the past three months, more than 30 commercial vessels have been attacked by Iran, and Trump has maintained that a ceasefire is only possible if Iran halts its attacks on these vessels and reopens the strait. The U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iran for 11 consecutive days until July 21, targeting key infrastructure such as railways and roads.
The report noted that Trump's remarks come at a critical juncture for potential military intervention. However, it cautioned that targeting power plants in Tehran could further deteriorate U.S.-Iran relations, potentially provoking broader retaliation from Iran. Following Trump's warning, an Iranian official stated, "If Americans target Iran's bridges or power plants, Iran will respond immediately by bombing infrastructure or bridges in the region," according to CNN, citing local semi-official news agency Tasnim.
Trump's warning also extended to the Houthi rebels, who, with Iranian support, control significant portions of Yemen and have recently threatened to blockade the Red Sea, affecting oil tankers. On July 21, the Houthis issued a statement declaring an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, based on the principle of "an eye for an eye" in response to what they termed crimes committed by Saudi adversaries. In response, Trump remarked, "Nothing like that has happened yet, and if it does, we will handle it."
As military clashes continue in the Middle East, international oil prices are rising. Brent crude rose 4.12% to $94.76 per barrel, the highest in six weeks, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 4.35% to $88.01 per barrel. The National reported that Trump's dismissal of the possibility of talks with Iran and the threat from the Houthis have raised concerns about disruptions to the global energy supply chain, contributing to the price surge.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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