Trump Threatens Iran’s Bridges and Power Plants as Hormuz Crisis Deepens

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants if Tehran continues to target commercial shipping. The crisis, which has rattled global markets and sent oil prices climbing, is a stark reminder of the strategic importance of this vital waterway for Egypt and the entire region.

The fighting over the strait led to the collapse of a preliminary deal between the United States and Iran. Tehran has reimposed its blockade on this strategic conduit for oil and gas shipments, firing on vessels that seek to transit. The blockade has sent oil prices soaring, adding to the pressure on Trump as he faces closely-fought midterm elections.

Trump’s Direct Warning to Iran

President Trump took to social media to deliver a stark ultimatum. “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,” he wrote. This reiterates his longstanding threat to go after Iranian infrastructure.

Despite the tough rhetoric, top US diplomat Marco Rubio maintained that Washington is still willing to find a negotiated agreement with Tehran. “We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way. But right now, they don't seem to be serious about that,” Rubio said at a Southeast Asia ministers' meeting in Manila.

Iranian Response and Regional Impact

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that diplomatic exchanges with Washington through mediators were continuing. However, on Wednesday afternoon, a US missile hit Larak island in the strait, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which reported that the extent of the damage was being investigated.

The conflict has faced intense political pressure in the US, with critics pointing to the cost. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the military expenditure had soared to $37.5 billion, defending a request for tens of billions in additional funding. But Trump himself has so far bucked the pressure, saying, “We're not finished at all... we're not leaving right now.”

Pickaxe Mountain: A New Flashpoint

The US military launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting sites to “further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” Trump hinted that the next US target could be an underground complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, or Kolang in Persian, near Natanz. Western intelligence agencies suspect Iran is building an undeclared nuclear enrichment facility there.

Iran threatened reprisals, with the Khatam Al-Anbiya military command saying it would “consider it as an expansion of war” if such an attack were carried out. The state broadcaster reported threats of strikes on “all the interests of America, the allies and supporters.” Foreign ministry spokesman Baqaei insisted that “Washington's obsessive focus on Kolang Kouh where no nuclear activity is taking place is nothing more than a fabricated pretext for aggression, destruction, and sabotage.”

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, told the BBC that inspectors “should be there already” in reference to Iran, emphasizing the importance of the IAEA checking on Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Regional Fallout and Egypt’s Strategic Concerns

The threats came as Tehran pressed its retaliatory assault on targets in US-allied Gulf states. Kuwait’s army said its air defences were engaging drones from Iran, while Jordan reported shooting down four Iranian missiles and four drones. Air alert sirens also sounded in Bahrain, with an AFP correspondent in Manama hearing an explosion.

The Iranian military said it targeted US assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including air defence systems, radar installations and administrative buildings. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said they had targeted US bases in Jordan. After Tehran’s Houthi allies in Yemen threatened to blockade Saudi ports, Trump said he would “take care of” the rebels if they followed through.

It remains unclear how the Houthis would enforce such a blockade, but it would only compound the effects of the Hormuz closure. Brent Crude, the global benchmark, briefly topped $95 a barrel for the first time in six weeks on Wednesday, but shed some of the gains.

The Houthis are yet to resume their attacks on shipping, but maritime intelligence provider Vanguard Tech said a Singapore-flagged tanker and a Liberia-flagged tanker both “reversed course” in the Red Sea after loading crude at the Saudi port of Yanbu. If the Houthis make good on the threat, they could endanger Riyadh’s ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for some oil exports, with major repercussions for the global economy.

During the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza that began in October 2023, the Yemeni rebels attacked shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, forcing vessels to make a long detour around Africa and prompting a US bombing campaign. For Egypt, the Suez Canal remains a vital artery for global trade, and any disruption in the Red Sea directly impacts national revenue and regional stability.

What Does This Mean for Egypt?

As a nation that relies heavily on the Suez Canal for revenue, Egypt watches these developments with keen interest. The stability of the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea is crucial for global energy markets and trade routes. Under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt has maintained a policy of strategic balance, supporting regional stability while opposing any form of extremism or foreign interference.

The current crisis underscores the importance of Egypt’s role as a mediator and a pillar of stability in the Middle East. While the US and Iran engage in a dangerous game of brinkmanship, Egypt continues to advocate for dialogue and peaceful resolution, safeguarding its national interests and the security of the region.