US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States would target Iranian civilian infrastructure if Tehran continued attacking ships transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the US would respond by bombing Iranian infrastructure each time the Islamic Republic fired at vessels in the waterway.
“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,” Trump wrote.
He added that the strikes could include facilities “located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran.”
Trump made the remarks shortly before departing for Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive the remains of three US service members killed in Iranian attacks on American military installations in the Gulf.
“I’m going to honour our heroes, and they’re indeed great heroes,” he said.
“All of them said, very strongly, that we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon, so we’re going to honour them. For me, it’s one of the hardest things to do as president, but it has to be done.”
The US president also dismissed opinion polls suggesting the conflict with Iran is unpopular among American voters ahead of November’s midterm elections, despite rising oil prices and increasing concerns over the cost of living.
“Americans don’t want high gasoline prices, but they’re not against the war. That just came out loud and clear,” he said.
According to US officials, the conflict has so far cost Washington about $37.5 billion.
The United States has intensified its military campaign against Iran following the collapse of a preliminary ceasefire agreement amid renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, carrying out 11 consecutive days of airstrikes.
Iran has responded by launching attacks on US military facilities across the Gulf.
The US military said Wednesday’s dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base honoured two service members killed in an Iranian attack on a military base in Jordan and another killed during the controlled detonation of a drone in Iraq. A fourth service member remains missing following the Jordan attack.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to retaliate for the deaths of US troops, saying those responsible would pay “many times over,” while renewing threats to target Iranian civilian infrastructure. The total number of US military personnel killed since the conflict began has risen to 18.
The US president also reiterated threats made on Tuesday to strike what he described as a secret Iranian nuclear facility at “Pickaxe Mountain.” Iran has denied the existence of any nuclear site there, saying the location, which it calls Kolang Mountain, has no such facility.
AFP
