President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will begin targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure if Tehran continues attacking ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a further escalation in the conflict between the two countries.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump declared that every attack by Iran on vessels using the strategic waterway would trigger a direct response against key facilities inside Iran.
“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” he wrote.
He added that the targets could include facilities “located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran.”
The remarks came shortly before the US president travelled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive the remains of three American service members killed in Iranian attacks on US military installations in the Gulf.
Speaking before his departure, Trump said the visit was intended to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. “Honor our heroes and they’re indeed great heroes,” he said.
The president also defended his administration’s position on Iran, insisting the country must never acquire nuclear weapons.
“All of them said, very strongly, that we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon, so we’re going to honor them… For me it’s one of the hardest things to do as president but it has to be done,” he added.
Trump dismissed opinion polls suggesting the conflict has become unpopular among American voters ahead of the November midterm elections, despite concerns over rising fuel prices and the growing financial cost of the war, which has reportedly reached $37.5 billion.
“Americans don’t want high gasoline prices but they’re not against the war, that just came out loud and clear,” he said.
The latest warning follows nearly two weeks of intensified US military operations after a temporary ceasefire collapsed over renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has responded by launching attacks on American military facilities across the Gulf region.
According to the US military, the ceremony at Dover honoured two service members killed during an Iranian strike on a base in Jordan and another who died while carrying out a controlled drone detonation in Iraq.
Authorities also confirmed that another service member remains missing following the Jordan attack.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to respond forcefully to the deaths of American troops, saying those responsible would pay a heavy price.
He also renewed earlier claims about an alleged secret Iranian nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain, which Iran denies exists, insisting the location is simply Kolang Mountain.
As tensions continue to rise, the exchange of threats has raised fresh concerns over the possibility of a wider regional conflict with far-reaching global consequences.
