US President Donald Trump has issued a stark threat to Iran, warning of potential attacks on civilian infrastructure as tensions escalate following the rescue of a downed American airman inside Iranian territory.
The warning came as the conflict, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, continues to intensify across the Middle East.
Trump demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, and set a deadline of Tuesday, 8:00 PM (midnight GMT), warning of severe consequences if Tehran fails to comply.
The US president said strikes could target power plants and bridges, raising fears of further escalation in the region.
The remarks followed a high-risk US rescue operation in Iran, where a weapons systems officer survived after his fighter jet went down.
According to US media reports, the airman sheltered in a mountainous area while American special forces carried out the extraction.
He was equipped with a pistol, a locator beacon and secure communications to coordinate with rescue teams.
Reports said multiple aircraft were involved in the operation, with at least two destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.
Iran’s military said it destroyed four US aircraft during the mission and reported that five people were killed in related strikes.
Footage released by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps showed wreckage of aircraft in a desert area.
Iran claimed it shot down the fighter jet, while US officials have not confirmed the cause of the crash.
The conflict has already expanded beyond Iran, with Iranian missile strikes targeting Israeli cities and infrastructure in the Gulf.
Oil prices have surged in response to the crisis, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions linked to instability in the region.
Despite Trump’s claim that Iran was “close” to reaching a deal, analysts remain sceptical.
Security analyst Danny Citrinowicz said the chances of a negotiated agreement under current conditions are “close to nonexistent”.
Tehran strongly condemned the threat. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that continued pressure could destabilise the entire region.
“Our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands,” he said.
Russia also criticised Washington’s approach, urging a return to diplomatic engagement instead of ultimatums, according to a statement following talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart.
Despite the escalation, daily life in parts of Tehran appeared largely unchanged, with residents seen continuing routine activities in public areas.
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