US President Threatens Iran With Massive Strikes Over Strait of Hormuz Deal

United States President Donald Trump has issued a deadline of 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to launch massive strikes against the country’s civilian infrastructure if an acceptable deal is not reached.

The president warned that the United States could target Iranian bridges and civilian power plants, claiming that the entire country could be taken out in one night if the critical global energy route remains blocked.

In a series of posts on Truth Social published on Sunday, April 5, 2026, Trump stated that Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. He demanded that Iran Open the F–kin’ Strait or face a scenario where they would be living in Hell.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, April 6, 2026, alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump asserted that if the deadline passes without a deal, Iran would be sent back to the Stone Ages.

The president indicated that his targets would specifically include transportation and energy infrastructure, stating that Iran going to have no bridges and no power plants.

Diplomatic Deadlock and Demands

While issuing these threats, Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, April 5, 2026, that he was negotiating with Iranian leaders and believed there was a good chance of a deal being reached by Monday, April 6, 2026. He noted that he believed reasonable leaders in Tehran were negotiating in good faith.

However, reports indicate that Iran has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire. Tehran is instead calling for a permanent end to the conflict and the complete lifting of sanctions before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump added that if a deal is not made quickly, he is considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil.

The current tension follows a recent military operation in which U.S. Forces successfully recovered two crew members of an F-15 fighter jet that had been downed in southern Iran. During his Monday press conference, Trump described the rescue of the crew as heroic.

Trump also criticized international allies, stating that the failure of Nato to participate in the U.S. Operation in Iran will long be remembered.

International Law and Humanitarian Concerns

The threat to target civilian power plants has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights organizations and legal experts. Under international humanitarian law, attacks on objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population are prohibited and may be classified as war crimes.

Legal standards also require that collateral civilian harm resulting from strikes must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.

Agnes Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International, described the president’s threats as revolting in a post on X.

Iranian Civilians will be the first to suffer from the destruction of power plants, and bridges. No heat, no electricity, no water, no capacity to move or to flee, and all that it means for their right to life

Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

The destruction of power plants is expected to cause widespread blackouts, which would directly impact food supply chains, water treatment facilities, and hospitals across Iran.

Iranian Response

Iran has responded to the threats by warning of fierce retaliation if the United States carries out strikes against its infrastructure. Tehran has maintained its position that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon the fulfillment of its demands regarding sanctions and a permanent ceasefire.

The deadline remains set for 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, which corresponds to 00:00 GMT on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.