Trump Threatens Iran with Strikes on Power Plants Amid Escalating Tensions
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday, threatening to “obliterate” its power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The ultimatum comes as Israel continues to strike targets within Iran, and as retaliatory attacks from Iran against Israel and regional countries persist, plunging the region deeper into crisis.
The escalating conflict began with Iranian missile strikes on towns near an Israeli nuclear facility, injuring nearly 100 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the evening as “very difficult” in the battle for Israel’s future, following strikes on the towns of Arad and Dimona. Israel has since responded with strikes targeting locations within Iran and Lebanon.
Trump’s threat, delivered via a post on Truth Social, ratcheted up the pressure on Iran. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he wrote.
Iran’s military has vowed to retaliate against any attack on its power plants, threatening to target energy infrastructure linked to the U.S. and Israel across the Middle East. Iranian state media reported that its air defenses intercepted a U.S.-Israeli armed drone over Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed to have shot down an Israeli fighter jet in Iranian airspace, a claim Israel has not confirmed.
Attacks have extended beyond Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia intercepted nearly 60 drones launched from Iran, primarily targeting its Eastern Province, a key energy-producing region. Three ballistic missiles were also launched toward Riyadh province, with one intercepted and the others landing in uninhabited areas. Saudi Arabia has declared several Iranian diplomatic staff persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country.
In Bahrain, Iranian missiles targeted U.S. bases, following earlier claims by Iran’s state broadcaster of attacks on bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Bahrain’s military reported intercepting 143 missiles and 242 drones.
The United States has been actively engaged in military action, with Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, stating that U.S. forces have struck an underground facility along Iran’s coast used to store antiship cruise missiles and mobile missile launchers.
The conflict has taken a significant toll. Iran’s Ministry of Health reports over 1,500 deaths and more than 20,984 injuries, with seven hospitals evacuated and 36 ambulances damaged.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has appealed to the BRICS alliance, currently chaired by India, to intervene and halt the aggression against Iran, and has proposed a regional security framework involving West Asian countries.
The UAE, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, France and Germany issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf, accusing Iran of the “de facto closure” of the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK also accused Iran of launching ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, but said the attack was unsuccessful.
