Trump threatens to attack 2 types of Iranian infrastructure in war

Former President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran, threatening to destroy the nation's power plants and bridges as the conflict entered its second month.

The Trump administration’s threats to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran, a potential violation of international law, have injected fresh volatility into global energy markets as an escalating conflict disrupts shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In a series of social media posts and interviews, Trump warned that Tuesday would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day" if Iran failed to reopen the vital shipping lane.

"The gates of hell will open" for the U.S. leader, Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of Iran's central military command said, describing Trump's threats as a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action."

The war, which began on February 28 with joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, has already seen Iranian missile and drone strikes on a residential building in Haifa, Israel, and petrochemical facilities in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. In response, U.S.-Israeli strikes have targeted sites in Iran, including the Qasem Soleimani international airport, according to media reports. The downing of a U.S. fighter jet over Iran further inflamed tensions, though a subsequent rescue operation successfully recovered the second crew member.

With Iran halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20 percent of the world's oil, the primary risk is a prolonged supply disruption that could drive crude prices higher and fuel global inflation. The diplomatic track appears stalled after China, Russia, and France vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have authorized military force to secure the waterway, leaving markets to watch Trump's new Tuesday deadline.

"Back to the Stone Ages"

In a nationwide address, Trump said the U.S. military would hit Iran "extremely hard" for the next two to three weeks, vowing to "bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong." The comments drew a sharp rebuke from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted on X that "there was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East back then."

The threats against civilian infrastructure have drawn condemnation from legal experts. In a letter signed by over 100 law professors, experts said that attacks on "objects indispensable to the survival of civilians" are prohibited under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and "could entail war crimes."

The military exchanges have been significant. Iran has continued to fire drones and missiles at Israel and U.S. Gulf allies, causing severe damage to oil and petrochemical facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, according to officials in those countries. Meanwhile, Israel has continued its own strikes on Iranian infrastructure, with a petrochemical facility hit on Saturday. The downing of a U.S. F-15 on Friday and an F-35 on Thursday, according to Iranian reports, highlights the substantial military risk for U.S. forces in the region.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.