Trump Warns of Strikes on Iran’s Power Plants if Nuclear Talks Fail
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a warning that the United States would commence targeting Iranian power plants and bridges “next week” as part of its border strikes on the Islamic Republic, contingent upon Tehran’s willingness to return to the negotiating table. He further cautioned that Iran would not “have anybody left” if it failed to reach a deal with Washington. In an interview, Trump indicated that the United States would escalate its military efforts against Iran in the near future unless negotiations are reinitiated. “We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them, because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” Trump told.
Trump’s remarks come as US military strikes on Iran have persisted for a fourth consecutive day following the breakdown of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at ceasing hostilities in West Asia. According to source, US and Iranian representatives remain in contact; however, the Trump administration has asserted that negotiations cannot progress as long as Iran continues to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. In response to enquiries regarding the length of the military campaign, Trump indicated that the strikes would persist until he deems it necessary to alter that course of action.
The US President also declined to dismiss the possibility of deploying American ground troops to Iran, although he indicated a preference for alternative options. “Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us,” Trump added. Trump also intensified pressure on Tehran to negotiate with Washington, cautioning that Iran would encounter significant repercussions if it declined to do so. “You better make a deal,” Trump said, adding, “You’re not going to have anybody left.” Trump further stated that the US was taking precautions to minimise civilian casualties. “We’re being very careful with the civilian population,” Trump said, before repeating, “But I said, you better make a deal. You’re not going to have anything left.”
Trump indicated that the warning was communicated during the most recent interaction between US representatives and Iranian officials, which he stated occurred “about an hour ago.” When asked whether he believed Iran would agree to a deal, Trump responded, “They should. I don’t know if they will or not.” This follows the announcement from the US Central Command, which stated earlier today that it has reinstated the naval blockade aimed at vessels navigating to and from Iranian ports and coastal regions. This decision comes just hours after a “additional round of strikes” against the Islamic Republic, amid rising tensions in West Asia.
