President Donald Trump has threatened to broaden United States military strikes against Iran next week to include civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal, according to a report by The Guardian published on July 15, 2026. The remarks were made in a Fox News interview on Tuesday and were reported as part of the outlet’s live coverage of the Middle East crisis.
What Happened
The Guardian reported that Trump said, “Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” during the Fox News interview. The president added, “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.” The Guardian stated the comments were made amid a continuing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz and characterized them as a threat to expand US strikes on Iran beyond prior targets.
The Guardian’s report did not specify the precise legal basis for such strikes under US or international law. It also did not include confirmation from Iranian officials or independent verification of any planned military action. The publication described the remarks as part of live updates on the Middle East crisis and noted the comments were tied to an impasse over the strait.
Why It Matters
The reported threat, if acted upon, would mark a significant escalation in the targeting of civilian infrastructure by US forces. Power plants and bridges are generally classified as civilian objects under international humanitarian law, which requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between military targets and civilian objects. The Strait of Hormuz context cited by The Guardian carries strategic and economic weight: the waterway is a critical transit route for global energy shipments, and any disruption or associated military action risks broader regional and market consequences.
As of the report, no deal between Washington and Tehran had been announced. The remarks remain a stated position by the US president rather than confirmed operational orders. The absence of corroboration from US military authorities or Iranian officials leaves the immediate practical implications unclear.
Background and Context
The Guardian reported the comments as part of ongoing live coverage of a Middle East crisis, with the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz described as continuing. The outlet did not provide a detailed timeline of prior US strikes on Iran or specify what earlier targets may have been involved. The report framed the power-plant and bridge remarks as a threat to expand the scope of those strikes if negotiations do not commence.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes. The Guardian cited the strait as the backdrop to the impasse but did not elaborate on specific incidents or diplomatic exchanges that produced the current dispute.
Competing Claims or Uncertainty
The Guardian’s account is based on Trump’s televised interview remarks and does not include a response from Iranian officials. There is no independent verification in the report of any finalized US military plan to strike power plants or bridges. The publication did not state whether the Pentagon or other US agencies had commented on the president’s remarks.
Uncertainty remains on several points: whether the comments reflect an approved operational directive, what negotiated deal Trump referenced, and how Iran might respond. The Guardian did not report any confirmation from Tehran regarding the strait dispute or the proposed negotiations. The report also left undefined what legal framework, if any, the administration would cite for strikes on infrastructure described as civilian.
Analysis: The reported threat raises questions under international humanitarian law regarding the distinction between military and civilian objects. Targeting power plants and bridges, absent a demonstrated military necessity and proportionality assessment, would likely draw scrutiny from legal observers and allied governments. The Strait of Hormuz impasse suggests the dispute carries both strategic and economic dimensions given the waterway’s role in global energy transit. As of the report, the remarks constitute a stated position rather than confirmed military action, and the lack of multi-source confirmation limits conclusions about near-term operations.
What to Watch Next
Readers should monitor whether US or Iranian officials issue formal statements clarifying the remarks or the status of any negotiations. Confirmation or denial from the Pentagon regarding operational planning would be material. Developments in the Strait of Hormuz, including shipping activity or naval movements, may indicate whether the dispute is escalating. Any statement from Tehran responding to the threat, or from third-party governments and international bodies addressing the legality of potential strikes, would also be relevant.
Conclusion
The Guardian’s July 15, 2026, report documents a threat by President Trump to expand US strikes on Iran to include power plants and bridges if no deal is reached, made during a Fox News interview amid a Strait of Hormuz impasse. The remarks, as reported, have not been independently verified or confirmed by Iranian or US military sources. The potential targeting of civilian infrastructure raises legal and strategic questions that remain unresolved in the absence of further official detail. Herald Express will continue to track primary statements and documentary evidence as the situation develops.
Sources
The Guardian World — Trump threatens to expand strikes on Iran’s civilian infrastructure: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/15/trump-iran-power-plants-strike-threat-strait-of-hormuz
Corrections
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Guardian World — source
