President Donald Trump reiterated his threat on Tuesday to increase military strikes against Iran, cautioning that the country's power plants and bridges would be targeted next week if Tehran fails to return to the negotiation table, as reported by CNN live.
"Next week is going to be really tough for them because next week it's the power plants. Next week it's the bridges," Trump stated during an interview with Fox News, adding that if Iran does not reach an agreement, "they won't have anyone left."
These remarks follow four consecutive nights of U.S. bombings on Iranian soil, executed in a seven-hour operation that hit numerous military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas, according to U.S. Central Command.
At least seven Iranian soldiers were killed in the overnight attacks on the Bampur base in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, where the U.S. launched 13 missiles against barracks, housing facilities, and guard posts, as reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Iranian government, stated on Wednesday that more than 30 civilians have lost their lives in recent U.S. attacks.
History of Threats and Escalations
This is not the first time Trump has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure. On April 3, 2026, the U.S. destroyed the B1 bridge in Karaj—the longest in Iran and the Middle East—resulting in at least eight deaths and between 95 to 100 injuries. Trump justified the attack by claiming the structure was used for transporting ballistic missiles.
In response to these threats, thousands of Iranian civilians formed human chains in front of power plants and bridges in an attempt to shield them from potential bombings.
Renewed Conflict and Its Consequences
The conflict reignited on July 8, 2026, when Trump declared the end of the ceasefire from the NATO summit in Ankara, alleging that Iran had attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz between July 6 and 7, violating the truce agreement signed in June in Switzerland.
Iran retaliated against the latest strikes by targeting U.S. military infrastructure in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also threatened to shut down more energy export routes in the region, stating, "The export of oil and gas from the region will be for everyone or no one."
The escalation has direct impacts on energy markets. Only 17 commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, compared to about 100 on a typical day before the conflict, according to analytics firm Kpler. The price of Brent crude rose 0.3% to $85 per barrel on Wednesday.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
Legal experts and international organizations have raised concerns about the legal boundaries of Trump's threats. Retired Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told CNN that "bridges and infrastructure primarily used to support military forces are legitimate military targets," though he clarified that "hopefully we continue to focus on military targets."
However, Heba Morayef, regional director of Amnesty International for the Middle East and North Africa, warned that the potential "devastating" civilian harm resulting from attacks on energy infrastructure poses a "substantial risk that such attacks violate international humanitarian law and in some cases could constitute war crimes."
Ben Saul, the UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, had already condemned threats from both sides against civilian energy infrastructure in March, labeling such attacks, if executed, as "war crimes under international law."
Key Questions on the U.S.-Iran Conflict
What prompted the renewed U.S.-Iran conflict?
The conflict reignited when President Trump declared the end of a ceasefire, accusing Iran of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which violated a truce agreement.
How has the conflict affected energy markets?
The conflict has significantly disrupted energy markets, with a sharp decrease in commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and a rise in Brent crude oil prices.
What are the potential legal implications of targeting Iranian infrastructure?
Targeting infrastructure could violate international humanitarian law and potentially constitute war crimes, especially if it results in significant civilian harm.