US President Donald Trump has issued an expletive-laden warning to Iran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night or facing the destruction of its power plants and bridges. In a post on his Truth Social website, Trump wrote: 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!'
The threat marks the latest escalation in the five-week US-Israeli war against Iran, which has seen extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Trump has extended deadlines at least twice before, and this time shifted from Monday to Tuesday, later specifying 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Crude oil prices rose on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate increasing 1.86% to over $112 a barrel and Brent crude above $110.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf responded on social media, warning that Trump's 'reckless moves' would drag the US into 'a living HELL' and that 'our whole region is going to burn'. He urged a resolution based on respecting Iranian rights and ending the 'dangerous game'.
The threat drew criticism on Capitol Hill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Trump as 'ranting like an unhinged madman' and warned of potential war crimes. International law experts, including Yale professor Oona A Hathaway, stated that targeting civilian infrastructure without lawful justification would constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.
Meanwhile, US commandos rescued a second crew member of a downed F-15E fighter in south-west Iran, ending a two-day search. Iran displayed wreckage of several aircraft but did not deny the rescue. Trump has suggested negotiations are possible, but Iran insists it has not entered peace talks, though messages have been exchanged via intermediaries including Pakistan.
