Kathmandu [Nepal], July 15 – US President Donald Trump has warned that American forces could target Iran’s power plants and bridges within the coming week if Tehran refuses to return to diplomatic negotiations, escalating tensions after he reversed a proposed tariff on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said the United States would intensify military action if Iran does not come to the negotiating table. He warned that key infrastructure, including electricity facilities and bridges, could become targets if diplomatic efforts fail.
The remarks came less than 24 hours after Trump withdrew his announcement of imposing a 20 percent tariff on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s warning follows renewed tensions stemming from the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. In response Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints for energy trade.
The waterway carries about 25 percent of the world’s petroleum supplies and roughly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets and global trade.
The closure of the strait has heightened fears of supply disruptions and increased volatility in oil and gas markets, with governments and industry closely monitoring developments in the Gulf region.
Trump’s latest comments signal that Washington is prepared to increase military pressure unless diplomatic engagement resumes, raising concerns that the confrontation between the United States and Iran could intensify further and pose broader risks to regional stability and global energy security.
