U.S. President Donald Trump pressured Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to bomb its power plants and bridges.
Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday (local time), writing, "Tuesday is power plant day, bridge day for Iran," and "Open the damn Strait, you lunatics, or you will live in hell." Trump said everything would come together on an unprecedented scale and told them to watch. He also used a mocking expression, writing "Praise be to Allah."
Trump had previously said he would negotiate with the Iranian side and announced a 10-day grace period until the 6th for the previously warned strikes on power plants and energy infrastructure.
The post is interpreted as Trump pressuring Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and reach a deal by signaling that a massive attack targeting Iran's key infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, would be carried out immediately on the 7th after the grace period expires.
Trump used profanity multiple times in the post. While the intent appears to be escalating pressure, it is also seen as suggesting Trump's own sense of urgency.
However, shortly after making those remarks, Trump told Fox News in an interview regarding the prospect of a deal with Iran, "I think there's a good chance tomorrow. Negotiations are underway right now." He added, "If they don't make a deal quickly, we're looking at blowing everything up and taking the oil." The move is interpreted as an attempt to reassure markets and public opinion with optimism about a deal, while simultaneously escalating pressure on Iran by signaling concentrated strikes on key infrastructure.