WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants, posting on Truth Social that the “New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
The warning comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries.The threat follows the recent destruction of the B1 bridge near Tehran in an airstrike, which reportedly killed eight people, according to Iranian state media. In his post, Trump added, “The U.S. hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran.
Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!”Trump did not clarify what exactly needed to be “done,” but his post suggested further U.S. strikes could target Iranian infrastructure.
The statement has raised concerns of a potential escalation in military actions across the region.Hours later, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency claimed that a U.S. F-35 fighter jet was shot down over central Iran.
Images circulated on Telegram appeared to show debris with the words “U.S. Air Forces in Europe” on what looked like the plane’s tail section.
At the time of publication, neither the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the region, nor Iranian authorities responded to requests for comment. The situation remains tense as international observers monitor developments closely.
President Donald Trump issued his latest threat to Iran a day after delivering a nationwide address, in which he warned that the U.S. military would strike the country “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks. He added that the U.S. would “bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong,” signaling a further escalation in tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded defiantly on X, questioning Trump’s statement and pointing out that “there was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East back then.” Araghchi asked rhetorically whether Americans who supported Trump were “sure that they want to turn back the clock.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, has effectively been closed to tanker traffic by Iran following attacks by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. The closure adds further pressure on global energy supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Trump has repeatedly used “stone age” rhetoric against Iran as the war enters its second month, even as U.S. military build-up in the Middle East continues. Despite reports of U.S. diplomatic overtures, including a proposed 15-point peace plan and ceasefire offers, Iran has publicly denied engaging in meaningful negotiations.
Tehran described the plan as “extremely maximalist and unreasonable,” according to an Al Jazeera report on March 25.Trump also claimed that Iran’s “New Regime President” had requested a ceasefire, though Tehran has denied this claim and the U.S. president has not identified who he meant by “President.”
He added that the U.S. would consider actions “when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear,” but until then, Iran would be “blasted into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages.”Legal experts have warned that targeting Iranian power plants and other critical infrastructure could violate international law and constitute a war crime.
A letter signed by more than 100 law experts emphasized that international law forbids attacks on objects essential for civilian survival, and Trump’s threatened strikes could fall into this category. Earlier, Trump had also suggested that Iran’s water desalination plants could be potential targets.