Trump Threatens to Destroy Iranian Power Plants and Bridges if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed

Donald Trump issued an ultimatum threatening to destroy all Iranian power plants and bridges by Tuesday evening, April 7, 2026, if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz, as the US-Israeli military operation against Iran entered its 38th day on Monday with no ceasefire in sight. Trump posted the warning on his Truth Social platform in explicit terms, writing that "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all in one" and demanding Iran open the strait or face living "in hell." The ultimatum deadline falls at 8:00 PM Washington time on Tuesday, April 7, which corresponds to 2:00 AM Wednesday Polish time. The threat came as a US-Israeli airstrike on the holy city of Qom killed at least 13 people, including 6 children, after striking a residential building. Iran simultaneously launched four ballistic missiles at Israel, one of which struck a six-story residential building in Haifa, killing two people, according to Israeli broadcaster N12.

Rescued F-15 pilot reported seriously injured Trump announced Sunday that the US military had rescued the second pilot from an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran on Friday, with "dozens of aircraft" participating in the search and rescue mission. Trump initially stated no Americans died in the operation, but later acknowledged in a follow-up post on Truth Social that the rescued soldier is seriously injured. Shortly after Trump's announcement, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, cited by Reuters, reported that Iranian armed forces shot down three US aircraft over Isfahan province during the rescue mission: a C-130 transport plane and two Blackhawk helicopters. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard had separately reported the destruction of several "hostile flying objects" during the American operation. US authorities had not confirmed the Iranian claims, and Reuters noted the reports could not be independently verified. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned Sunday that Tehran would respond to any further attacks on Iranian infrastructure with strikes on American-affiliated infrastructure, as reported by Reuters via the Iranian WANA agency.

„Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all in one. There has never been anything like it. Open that f...ing strait, you crazy bastards, or you're going to be living in hell.” — Donald Trump via Truth Social

Secret talks for 45-day truce reported, mediators named Axios reported that the United States, Iran, and a group of mediating countries are holding secret negotiations toward a two-phase agreement, though Reuters stated it could not independently verify the reports and noted that neither the White House nor the US State Department had officially commented. According to Axios sources, the first phase would be a 45-day truce with the possibility of extension, during which conditions for a permanent peace would be negotiated, followed by a second phase constituting a final agreement ending the war. Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are serving as mediators in the talks. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are also reportedly maintaining direct communication via text messages. Trump told Axios on Sunday that "there is a good chance for a deal," while simultaneously repeating threats to blow "everything up" if no agreement is reached. In a Fox News interview, Trump said he believed he could reach a deal with Iran by Monday. The key unresolved issues, according to Axios, include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the fate of highly enriched uranium in Iran's possession.

The US-Israeli military operation against Iran, designated Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026, and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the initial strikes. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping in the first days of March 2026 in retaliation, blocking oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf. Iran agreed to allow some vessels through the strait under conditions relating to their affiliation and cargo type, but the partial blockade has significantly reduced global oil supply. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, was appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. The conflict has involved Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel, US military bases, and civilian infrastructure across the region, including airports and petrochemical facilities.

Oil prices surge, Amnesty International condemns Trump's threats Oil markets responded sharply to the escalating conflict on Monday morning, with 111.43 (USD per barrel) — Brent crude price at Monday open Brent crude rising 2.2 percent to $111.43 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing 2.7 percent to $114.57 per barrel at the opening of trading. Agnes Callamard, head of Amnesty International, condemned Trump's threats against Iranian infrastructure in a post on X, describing the statement as "loathsome" and warning that civilians would suffer first from the loss of heat, electricity, water, and freedom of movement. Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations published a statement calling Trump's words "direct and public incitement to terrorize the civilian population and clear evidence of the intent to commit a war crime," and appealed to the international community to act, warning that "tomorrow will be too late." Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, warned the United States against a "dangerous game," writing on X that "reckless moves could set the entire region on fire" and that "war crimes achieve nothing."

„Lack of heat, electricity, water and the ability to move or escape and all that this means for their right to life. A loathsome statement.” — Agnes Callamard via wnp.pl

„Reckless moves could set the entire region on fire.” — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf via rmf24.pl

Brent (before): 109.03, Brent (after): 111.43, WTI (before): 111.55, WTI (after): 114.57

The Iranian armed forces' central command separately warned that further escalation by the US and Israel "will turn the entire region into hell," with a military spokesman declaring that "the illusion of defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran has turned into a swamp in which you will sink." The Qom airstrike, which targeted a residential building in one of Iran's most important religious centers, drew particular attention, with Al Hadath television reporting the target may have been "a prominent Iranian figure," though the exact reason for the strike remained unconfirmed at the time of reporting. Rescuers were searching rubble for survivors trapped under collapsed ceilings following the attack on Qom, which has been struck previously during the ongoing conflict.