US President Donald Trump warned Iran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants and bridges amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a devastating attack if it does not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. The warning followed his announcement of a “miraculous” operation to rescue a wounded US airman from inside Iran.
Trump issued the threat in an expletive-laden post on his Truth social platform. He wrote, “You crazy bastards, open the fuckin’ Straits, otherwise you’ll be in hell.”
He declared that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day in Iran, all wrapped into one.” Later, he told Fox News that he believed there was a “good chance” Iran would agree to a deal on Monday.
The war, which began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, has engulfed the region and shaken the global economy. Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil and gas, and launched attacks on Israel and its Gulf neighbors.
Trump reveals rescue of “seriously injured” airman deep in Iran’s mountains. He called it “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in American history.”
Iran said it “failed” the operation and distributed images showing the wreckage of the plane. It did not deny that the US military had evacuated the airmen.
American media described the complex rescue. The New York Times said the weapons system officer was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device.
Two transport aircraft were reportedly destroyed at a remote base to prevent capture. The US military then used three more planes to airlift airmen and rescue workers out of Iran.
Iran’s military said it destroyed four US aircraft involved in the operation. Iranian media reported that five people were killed in attacks during the mission.
Trump also praised the second, previously unconfirmed rescue of another pilot a day earlier. Iran has said that its military shot down the fighter plane from which the crew had ejected.
Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack again from Iran on Sunday. Damage to civilian facilities was reported in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Pro-Iranian armed groups also carried out two attacks on US diplomatic sites in Iraq overnight. The conflict has escalated rapidly in Lebanon, where Israel has sent ground forces into the south.
An Israeli strike on Kfar Hatta in southern Lebanon killed a family of six and a relative, according to a civil defense source. Another attack in south Beirut killed at least four people.
The war caused subdued Easter Sunday celebrations throughout the region. In Jerusalem, Israeli authorities restricted access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as a security precaution.
Pope Leo XIV used his Easter blessing to urge those “who have the power to start war” to “choose peace”. He criticized global indifference towards “the deaths of thousands of people”.
A guard was killed in an attack on Saturday near the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran. Russia, which helps operate the facility, announced it was laying off 198 workers and condemned the strike.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the plant could have radioactive fallout on Gulf capitals. Bushehr is closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than to Tehran.
Iran has maintained an internet blackout, which communications monitor Netblocks said is now the longest nationwide shutdown in history. The judiciary also announced the execution of two people convicted of working for Israel and the US.
