President Donald Trump has threatened to expand U.S. military strikes against Iran, warning that power plants and bridges will be targeted next if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Trump stated that the U.S. would continue to hit Iran "very hard tonight" and in the following nights until he deems it "enough."
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted multiple strikes near the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. Trump indicated that the operations would escalate in the coming week, stating, "Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. 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."
These comments follow Trump's decision to walk back a plan to implement a 20% toll on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, Middle Eastern nations are expected to enter into "massive" investment and trade deals with the United States, a prospect Trump finds preferable to a fee. The U.S. has also reinstated its naval blockade on Iranian ports in the strait.
Trump expressed frustration with Iran's past behavior, noting a pattern of broken promises. "They want to make a deal. But every time they make a do, they break it," he said. He warned that Iran should negotiate swiftly, stating, "You better make a deal, you're not going to have anybody left. We're being very careful with the civilian population, as you know, but I said, you better make a deal you're going to not have anything left."
The president asserted that U.S. military objectives, including keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, have largely been achieved, though traffic through the waterway has decreased significantly. He compared Iran's remaining military capabilities to that of a boxer who can still fight back despite being degraded. "They've been degraded to a very low level," Trump said. "And they have fight. You know? It's like a great boxer. You think you have him beat, and then all of a sudden he comes back, and he gives you a shot. They have some fight left, but they don't have much."
Regarding activity at a nuclear facility outside Tehran that had previously been struck, Trump dismissed it as not a primary concern, stating it could be easily damaged. "We can hit that one very easily. You know, it only takes a matter of minutes for us to do it and do major damage. Major damage," he said. "And when they know it's coming, they disappear."
