US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will target Iran's bridges and power plants if attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continue, saying the US will respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship.
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Key facts
- Trump says the US will respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The threatened targets include Iran's bridges and power plants.
- The warning was reported by the BBC on 22 July 2026.
US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that the United States will strike Iran’s bridges and power plants if attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persist, according to the BBC.
Trump said the US would respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship passing through the strait, signalling a firm posture toward any hostilities in the waterway.
The comments, reported by the BBC on 22 July 2026, frame the threatened response around specific categories of infrastructure targets inside Iran, namely bridges and power plants.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most closely watched maritime chokepoints, and Trump’s remarks tie any US military response directly to attacks on vessels there.
Beyond the president’s stated position that the US will respond to each attack on a ship, the sources available do not provide further detail on the timing, scale or trigger for any specific US operation.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global shipping, and any escalation between the US and Iran there could carry wide consequences. A direct threat to strike Iranian infrastructure raises the stakes for how attacks on vessels might be answered.
Frequently asked questions
What did Trump threaten to target in Iran?
According to the BBC, Trump said the US would target Iran's bridges and power plants if attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persist.
When would the US respond, according to Trump?
Trump said the US will respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Where was this reported?
The statement was reported by the BBC in an article published on 22 July 2026.
Timeline
- US 'will target Iran's bridges and power plants' if Hormuz attacks persist
BBC World: Donald Trump says the US will respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump threatens to target Iran's bridges and power plants if Hormuz attacks persist
BBC World: Donald Trump says the US will respond any time Iranian forces shoot at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.