Trump threatens bridges, power plants if Iran refuses to return to talks
10:10, 16/07/2026, ThursdayU: Update: 14:48, 16/07/2026, Thursday
Yeni Şafak
A poster depicting U.S. President Trump lying inside a black coffin has been hung in Tehran, the capital of Iran. On the giant poster displayed at Revolution Square, Trump is shown lying inside a coffin formed by the black concrete barriers—typically used during ceremonies for former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and often covered in chalk messages from the public. The slogan "We will kill Trump" appears on the walls depicted as the coffin.
US President Donald Trump has warned that energy plants and bridges in Iran will be targeted if Tehran does not return to negotiations. The threat comes as Washington resumes its naval blockade of Iranian ports, with CENTCOM launching new waves of strikes into Iranian territory.
US President Donald Trump has issued a direct threat to Iran, warning that the United States will strike energy plants and bridges if Tehran refuses to return to the negotiating table. The statement came as Washington resumed its blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions that have been building over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Strikes Intensify, Targeting Iranian Territory
While earlier US attacks focused on radar and observation towers near the strait, strikes have now expanded deep into Iranian territory. On Thursday, Iran's military reported an attack on a military base in the Sistan-Baluchestan province near the Pakistani border. CENTCOM announced two separate waves of strikes, stating they were targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping. Iranian officials reported at least 35 killed, including seven soldiers.
Emergency Meeting in Washington
According to Axios, Trump convened a meeting in the Situation Room to discuss broader military options against Iran. The session included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior officials. Reports suggest the discussion included plans for more destructive strikes against strategic targets inside Iran.
Iran's Red Lines and Response
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has declared that either everyone or no one will be able to export oil through the strait. Iranian officials have rejected any new negotiations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating, "We have no negotiation plan at this time. We are focused on defence." Meanwhile, Iran continued its own strikes against Gulf states, with Kuwait reporting 21 drones and four ballistic missiles in its airspace.