US President Donald Trump has warned that American forces will target Iran’s power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations, signalling a further escalation in Washington’s military campaign against the Islamic Republic.
The warning came as Trump said US strikes would intensify over the coming days and continue until he decides the operation has achieved its objective. He also declined to rule out a limited ground campaign, while insisting Iran had little choice but to negotiate.
Trump outlines next phase of US military campaign
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the US would step up attacks over the next several days before shifting its focus to Iran’s critical infrastructure.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight. We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them,” Trump said.
He said energy infrastructure would be targeted later in the campaign.
“I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets, yeah,” he said. “Next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges.”
“We’re gonna knock out all their power plants. We’re gonna knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” Trump added.
Asked whether Iran was serious about reaching an agreement, Trump replied: “I think they have no choice.”
Trump declines to rule out ground campaign
The US President said military operations would continue until he determines they should end.
“They’ll continue until I say, it’s enough,” Trump said. “They have some fight left, but they don’t have much.”
When asked whether Washington was ruling out deploying ground forces, Trump did not give a definitive no.
“I would say no, if I thought it was appropriate,” he said. “Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us.”
Kharg Island, Strait of Hormuz feature in interview
Trump also declined to say whether the United States intended to seize Kharg Island, a major hub for Iranian oil exports.
He said the US had already struck the island but had avoided attacking its oil facilities because of the potential impact on the global economy.
“At some point we could,” Trump said when asked about hitting the oil infrastructure. “But I think it’s unlikely.”
On the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the strategic waterway remained open to international shipping but not to Iranian traffic.
“It’s open if people wanna go through it,” he said. “We’re not opening it for Iran. That’s the only one it’s closed for. It’s closed for Iran both in and out, but it’s open now.”
According to Fox News, shipping data showed only 10 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, less than 10 per cent of normal traffic through the key maritime route.
Trump says US warned Iran to make a deal
Trump said US representatives had spoken with Iranian officials about an hour before the interview.
Asked what message had been conveyed, he replied: “You better make a deal. You’re not gonna have any, you’re not gonna have anybody left.”
He also said the United States was taking precautions to minimise civilian casualties.
“We’re being very careful with the civilian population,” Trump said. “But I said, you better make a deal. You’re not going to have anything left.”
According to ANI, the US Central Command earlier said it had resumed its naval blockade targeting vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas after conducting another round of strikes against Iran.