Former US President Donald Trump, in a new escalation of threats, said he was prepared to widen military strikes on Iran to include civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants. These statements came after US forces struck the strategically important "Bi-1" bridge north of Tehran, which Iranian authorities consider a symbol of national development. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that the US military has "not even begun to destroy what remains in Iran," hinting at further escalation.
In public remarks, Trump promised to "send Iran back to the Stone Age" if Tehran did not meet Washington's demands, and said strikes could be expanded to energy and oil infrastructure. He also announced "very powerful strikes" over the next two to three weeks. In response, Iranian authorities strongly condemned attacks on civilian sites, calling them violations of international law. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Aragi, said that destroying infrastructure would not force the Iranian people to capitulate, and that the country would rebuild everything that was destroyed.
The international community and legal experts have expressed serious concern over the announced widening of strike targets. Dozens of experts, in an open letter, warned that deliberate attacks on facilities vital to Iran's civilian population—such as power stations—could be classified as war crimes. They cited the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which oblige parties to a conflict to clearly distinguish between military and civilian objects and prohibit attacks on the latter.
The military conflict between the US and Iran, which broke out at the end of February, has already led to a sharp rise in regional tensions, a spike in oil prices, and instability in global markets. This campaign represents the largest US military intervention since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The ongoing exchange of strikes and threats heightens fears of further escalation, which could have profound humanitarian, economic, and destabilizing consequences for the entire Middle East region and international security.
Comments on the news
- What specific role does the "Bi-1" bridge play in Iran's infrastructure and economy, beyond being a "symbol of national development"? - The "Bi-1" bridge (likely part of a highway or railway project) serves as a key transport hub connecting remote regions of Iran, facilitating the movement of goods and reducing logistics costs. This stimulates trade, creates jobs, and integrates local economies into the national system, directly contributing to GDP growth.
- What are the historical backgrounds or immediate causes of the military conflict between the US and Iran, which erupted in late February and led to this escalation? - The immediate cause was likely attacks by pro-Iranian groups on US facilities in the region (for example, in Syria or Iraq), to which the US responded with strikes. Historically, the conflict stems from tensions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, disputes over Iran's nuclear program, and a struggle for influence in the Middle East, where both sides view each other as threats.
Full version: ترمب يهدد باستهداف الجسور ومحطات الطاقة في إيران