Washington: President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that the United States will expand its strikes on Iran to include power plants and bridges “next week” unless Tehran returns to negotiations, saying Iran would suffer severe losses if it fails to reach a deal.
In a Fox News interview, Trump said the US would step up its campaign in the coming days if talks do not resume. “We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them, because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” he told Fox News.
Threat Of Severe Consequences
Trump also warned that Tehran would face devastating consequences if it refused to agree to terms. “You better make a deal,” he said, adding, “You’re
not going to have anybody left.” The president indicated the strikes would continue until he ordered them to stop.
Ground Forces Not Ruled Out
Asked whether US ground troops might be deployed, Trump said he preferred other options but did not dismiss the possibility. “Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us,” he said.
Civilian Safety, Communications
Trump said US forces were taking precautions to limit civilian harm. “We’re being very careful with the civilian population,” he said, before repeating his warning: “But I said, you better make a deal. You’re not going to have anything left.” He added that the warning had been relayed to Iranian officials in the latest exchanges between US and Iranian representatives, which he said occurred “about an hour ago.”
On the prospects for diplomacy, Trump said, “They should. I don’t know if they will or not.”
Context & Naval Action
The president’s remarks came as US strikes on Iran entered a fourth straight day after a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending hostilities in West Asia collapsed. According to CNN, US and Iranian representatives remain in contact, though the Trump administration says talks cannot advance while Iran continues to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier on Tuesday, US Central Command said it had reinstated a naval blockade on vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas after an “additional round of strikes” against the Islamic Republic.