Trump threatens to bomb bridges and power plants unless Iran resumes talks

July 15, 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants next week unless Iran agrees to negotiate, marking an escalation in tensions between the two countries. The threats came during a Fox News interview as the US and Iran exchanged fire for the fourth consecutive day, with US forces conducting strikes that killed at least seven Iranian military personnel while Iran launched missiles and drones at US targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Trump previously threatened a 20% fee on cargo ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz but replaced this with planned trade deals with Gulf states, though the US resumed blockading Iranian ports.

Who is affected

Iranian military personnel (at least seven killed in US strikes)
Iranian civilians (threatened by potential infrastructure attacks)
US military personnel stationed in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain (targeted by Iranian attacks)
Commercial shipping crews (nearly a dozen killed, missing, or injured according to US Central Command)
An Indian crew member (killed on UAE tanker)
Eight crew members on UAE tankers (wounded, four seriously)
An Indian sailor from GFS Galaxy (found dead after ship attack)
23 crew members from GFS Galaxy (rescued)
Global shipping industry and oil markets
Gulf states (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and others)
UN human rights chief Volker Türk

What action is being taken

The US and Iran are exchanging fire for the fourth consecutive day
The US military is conducting strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz
The US is blockading Iranian ports
Iran is firing missiles and drones at US targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain
Kuwait's military is intercepting Iranian attack drones
Bahrain's military is intercepting and destroying aerial attacks
US negotiators are conveying ultimatums to Iranian counterparts

Why it matters

This escalation matters because it threatens a major international waterway through which significant global oil shipments pass, as evidenced by the sharp rise in oil prices and virtual halt of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The threatened attacks on civilian infrastructure like bridges and power plants would constitute war crimes under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, according to the UN human rights chief. The conflict has already resulted in military and civilian casualties, attacks on commercial shipping, and risks broader regional warfare given the involvement of multiple Gulf states. Iran's control of the strait gives it leverage to threaten the global economy, making this strategic chokepoint a flashpoint for international security and economic stability.

What's next

Trump has threatened that "next week it gets really bad for them" with planned strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges
The US plans to finalize "massive" trade and investment deals with Gulf states to replace the threatened 20% Strait of Hormuz fee
Trump indicated he would save energy targets for last but would "ultimately hit energy targets"
Iran has been given an ultimatum to "get to the table and negotiate" or face having nothing left

Read full article from source: BBC