WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his threat to destroy Iran’s power plants and other civilian energy infrastructure if no deal is reached to end the conflict in the Middle East.
“I could take out Iran in one day,” Trump told Fox News show “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.” “I could have their entire energy everything, every one of their plants, their electric generating plants, which is a big deal.”
Earlier, in a Truth Social post hours after US-Iran peace talks ended without a deal, President Trump on Sunday said the US Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz and would also interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.
Trump said the meeting “went well, most points were agreed,” but added the two sides had not agreed on Iran’s nuclear program.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” said Trump, who is strongly opposed to the idea of Iran charging ships a toll to pass through the strait.
READ MORE: Iran’s Qalibaf says no expectation of deal in single session
“I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.
“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” he added.
Iran Guards threaten to trap enemies
On the other hand, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Sunday said Iranian security forces had the Strait of Hormuz key shipping bottleneck under full control, warning that enemies would be trapped in its “deadly vortex” in case of any miscalculation.
“All traffic… is under the full control of the armed forces,” the Guards naval command said in a Persian language post on X after Trump ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait.
READ MORE: Trump says US to start blockading Strait of Hormuz immediately
American Dollar Exchange Rate