President Donald Trump dramatically escalated his warnings to Iran on Wednesday, declaring that the United States will begin destroying Iranian bridges and power plants if Tehran continues attacking commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced a new policy tying every Iranian strike on shipping in the strategic waterway to a direct American attack on key Iranian infrastructure.

“From this point forward, 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, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Earlier Wednesday, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported a powerful explosion on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it occurred after the launch of a U.S. missile.

The latest warning came after U.S. Central Command announced that American forces had completed an eleventh consecutive night of military strikes against Iranian targets.

According to CENTCOM, the operation targeted military command centers, naval assets, aircraft hangars, drone storage sites, and logistical infrastructure in an effort to further weaken Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Over the past three months, Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the international waterway, which is vital to regional and global trade. These unjustified attacks have endangered hundreds of innocent sailors and violated freedom of navigation,” the Central Command said.

CENTCOM added that commercial traffic continues to move through the strategic waterway despite the conflict.

“Despite Iranian aggression, the Strait of Hormuz remains open to the passage of commercial vessels. Since the beginning of May, CENTCOM forces have helped secure the passage of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.”

Iranian media reported that the latest American strikes struck numerous locations across the country, including Bahman, Mahshahr, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Bushehr, and Parchin. Reports also indicated that Iranian air defense systems were activated in the Sohank neighborhood of northeastern Tehran, west of Tabriz, and in the city of Sirik.

The United States and Iran have now been engaged in open military conflict for nearly two weeks, following Iran’s refusal to honor its agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and its continued attacks on vessels using the vital trade route. During the conflict, Iran has launched missiles and drones at targets across the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, striking desalination facilities, energy infrastructure, and American military bases. Iranian attacks have also claimed the lives of three U.S. servicemen in Jordan.

{Matzav.com}