Quick Read
- President Trump has threatened to attack Iranian bridges and power plants.
- Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks on refineries in Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
- The conflict has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to surge.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – Amid escalating tensions and ongoing hostilities, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening to target the nation’s bridges and power plants if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. The pronouncements came as Iran launched drone and missile attacks on refineries in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, escalating regional instability on day 35 of the conflict.
Trump’s Threat to Iranian Infrastructure
President Trump took to social media late Thursday, stating that the U.S. military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran.” He directly addressed the new Iranian regime leadership, demanding “FAST action.” The President’s explicit threat to target critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, signals a significant escalation in rhetoric and potential military action. This warning follows Iran’s reported destruction of a major bridge linking Tehran to the city of Karaj, an act that resulted in eight fatalities, according to Iranian security forces.
Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes on Gulf Refineries
The escalating exchange saw Iran launch drone and missile attacks on Friday that impacted oil infrastructure across the Persian Gulf. Kuwait’s state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation confirmed that several units at its largest oil refinery, Mina Al-Ahmadi, caught fire following a drone attack. Emergency teams were dispatched to contain the blaze, with no injuries reported. The United Arab Emirates reported an incident at the Habshan gas facility, attributing it to falling debris from an intercepted aerial threat. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of approximately a dozen drones.
Geopolitical Ramifications and Oil Market Volatility
The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, has led to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. This blockade has had a direct impact on global energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices surging by 7.8 percent on Friday to $109.03 per barrel. The disruption to oil, gas, and fertilizer supplies is fueling renewed international efforts to reopen the vital waterway. However, Trump’s threats to strike civilian infrastructure have drawn criticism, even from within Iran and from opposition figures like Reza Pahlavi, who argue that such actions disproportionately harm ordinary citizens and do not solely target the regime.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded to the escalating threats by stating on social media that “striking civilian infrastructure will not compel Iranians to surrender.” The U.S. military’s posture, as described by Trump, suggests a willingness to employ overwhelming force, while Iran appears determined to retaliate against perceived aggression and maintain its leverage through the blockade.
The intensified rhetoric and reciprocal strikes underscore a dangerous spiral in the conflict, with potential for wider regional destabilization and severe economic consequences driven by disruptions to global energy supplies.