President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to “completely obliterate” key parts of Iran’s energy and water infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the U.S. is in discussions with a “more reasonable regime” to end military operations in Iran and claimed “great progress” has been made.
However, he warned that if a deal is not reached soon and the strait is not reopened, the U.S. could target Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, and potentially its desalination facilities.
Trump added that such action would amount to “retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year ‘reign of terror.’”
Iran has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks.
The remarks come as the Middle East conflict enters its fifth week, with tensions spreading beyond Israel.
Since the war began, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and targeted vessels attempting to transit the waterway, which typically carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply. The disruption has driven oil prices sharply higher, at times surpassing $100 per barrel.
Trump has repeatedly pressed Iran to reopen the strait, previously issuing a 48-hour deadline and warning of strikes on Iranian power plants. That deadline was later extended.
According to a Washington Post report, the Pentagon is preparing for potentially weeks of ground operations in Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and targeting nuclear sites.
Citing multiple U.S. officials, the report said the plans could involve Special Operations and conventional forces conducting limited strikes on strategic locations along the strait, including Kharg Island, as well as Iranian nuclear facilities. Whether President Trump would authorize such operations remains uncertain.
The report comes after the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, carrying more than 3,500 troops, arrived in U.S. Central Command waters on Friday.
