US President Donald Trump threatened in an expletive-laden post on Sunday to strike Iran’s power plants and bridges if it does not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, after announcing the rescue of an airman in a “miraculous” operation.
Trump revealed on his Truth Social platform that the “seriously wounded” airman had been rescued “from deep inside the mountains of Iran”.
He called it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US history”.
Iran said it had “foiled” the operation, and distributed images appearing to show the wreckage of several aircraft, but did not deny that US forces had extracted him.
The war, which erupted on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has engulfed the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.
Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital conduit for oil and gas, and launched strikes on Israel and its Gulf neighbours.
Trump told Iran to stop choking traffic through Hormuz, warning it to open the Strait, “or you’ll be living in Hell,” in his social media post.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” he declared.
Later, Trump told Fox News that he believed there was a “good chance” that Iran would agree to a deal on Monday.
Trump’s warning came as the Omani and Iranian deputy foreign ministers reportedly held talks on easing passage through Hormuz.
Many residents of Tehran seemed indifferent to Trump’s threats.
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