“You crazy bastards, open the strait!” Trump’s harsh challenge to Tehran stokes international tensions

US President Donald Trump today issued a vulgar threat to attack Iranian power plants and bridges unless Tehran opens the Strait of Hormuz. He made the threat on his social media platform Truth Social. In an interview with Fox News, he added that a deal with Iran could be reached on Monday and that Tehran was negotiating. On Saturday, the White House chief said Iran had 48 hours to reach a deal or open the strait, which is crucial for the transport of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf, or, he said, hell would rain down on the Middle Eastern country.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one. There will be nothing like it," the US president wrote.

"Open the fucking strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell. Just watch!" the White House chief went on to say. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), published today, he specified that he had given Iran until Tuesday evening to open the Strait of Hormuz, or there would be no power plants and no bridges left in the country. He later posted on his social media platform that the deadline was Tuesday at 20:00 ET, which is Wednesday at 02:00 CEST. He did not specify what the deadline referred to.

In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump said that Iran was negotiating and that he believed a deal could be reached on Monday. But if there was no deal soon, he was considering "blowing everything up and taking control of the oil," he added.

Asked by the WSJ when the war would end, Trump replied that he would say soon. Asked whether he was concerned about the impact of potential attacks on civilian infrastructure on the Iranian population, he said he was not, and suggested that Iranians wanted such an attack because, in his view, they were living in "hell."

Iran's mission to the UN said in a post on X that the threat to deliberately destroy civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges was a violation of international law. The diplomats said such rhetoric was unbecoming of a head of state and demonstrated a dangerous disregard for the Geneva Conventions and the protection of civilians.

Trump's remarks drew sharp reactions from some US politicians, who questioned his mental state, The Guardian reported. Criticism also came from his former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said the president was behaving irrationally and that his actions were harming the Iranian people themselves.

Democratic Party figures also voiced criticism. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the president's remarks the words of a "deranged lunatic." Independent Senator Bernie Sanders said they were the words of a dangerous and mentally unstable individual and called on Congress to end the war immediately. Senator Chris Murphy also called the remarks insane and even suggested that the 25th Amendment to the Constitution could be invoked, potentially leading to the president's removal from office.

Other politicians have also warned of the consequences of escalating the conflict. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna called for an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution, while Democratic Senator Tim Kaine warned that the president's rhetoric was increasing the risk to US troops.

Trump issued his first ultimatum to Iran on March 21, threatening Tehran with the destruction of its power plants unless it fully opened the Strait of Hormuz to safe shipping within 48 hours. He ordered the attacks conditionally postponed for five days on March 23, citing "productive talks" about ending the war completely. He later announced that, at the Iranian government's request, he was postponing attacks on power plants for another ten days, until Monday, April 6.

Iran has shown no signs of backing down and continues to attack economic and infrastructure targets in neighboring countries, the AP reported today. Iran is attacking countries that host US military bases. Tehran also denies holding talks with the United States, although it says it is receiving information and messages from third countries about the possibility of ending the conflict.

The US and Israel have been carrying out attacks on Iran since February 28, killing several thousand people in the country, according to various sources. Those killed include some senior regime officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to UN data, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen by around 95 percent because of the conflict in the Middle East. Only a few ships now pass through the strait each day, compared with the usual more than 100 vessels. In peacetime, around a fifth of the world's seaborne oil passes through the strait. The slowdown in traffic along this shipping route is contributing to rising oil prices on international markets.