Trump threatens strikes on Iranian infrastructure if ships targeted in Hormuz
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Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States would retaliate by bombing Iranian infrastructure if Iran targets ships transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said any future Iranian attack on commercial or other vessels in the waterway would trigger direct US military strikes on specific targets inside Iran, including in and around the capital Tehran.
"From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy One Bridge Or Power Plant, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran," Trump wrote.
He ended the post by saying, "Thank you for your attention to this matter! President Donald J. Trump."
The statement marked one of Trump's most explicit public warnings to Iran, linking attacks on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to immediate and direct US military action against civilian infrastructure.
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Trump's warning covered a broad range of potential attacks, including those carried out using missiles, rockets, drones or "any other device or weapon". His post did not distinguish between US-flagged vessels and ships belonging to other countries, referring instead to "a ship in the Strait of Hormuz".
The President also specified the nature of the proposed retaliation, saying the US would target "One bridge or Power Plant" for each such attack. He added that the targets could include facilities "located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran".
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of globally traded crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
For India, which imports a substantial portion of its crude oil from the Gulf region, security in the Strait of Hormuz remains a matter of strategic and economic importance. Any escalation affecting shipping through the corridor could impact freight costs, energy prices and supply chains.
With IANS inputs