Iran on Monday vowed “much more devastating and widespread” retaliation if President Trump follows through with his threat to ramp up strikes on civilian targets.
“If attacks on civilian targets are repeated, the next stages of our offensive and retaliatory operations will be much more devastating and widespread,” Iran’s central military command said in a message aired early Monday by state media.
The grim warning came less than 24 hours after Trump raged that Iran should “open the f—in’” Strait of Hormuz or else he will ensure the regime’s leaders end up in hell.
Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran on Easter Sunday, urging the country to open the f—in'” Strait of Hormuz. MediaPunch / BACKGRID “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F—in’ Strait, you crazy b—–ds, or you’ll be living in Hell.”“JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The threats from both sides were lobbed just as Iran and the US received a draft proposal late Sunday calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle Eastern sources.
The proposal — from Egyptian, Pakistani and Turkish mediators — is banking on a 45-day window to provide enough time for talks to reach a permanent ceasefire, the sources added.
Neither Iran or the US have responded to the proposal.
Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier ‘Mayuree Naree’ near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack. ROYAL THAI NAVY/AFP via Getty Images The president has so far been cautious about hitting power plants in Iran amid fears it could inhibit the country’s ability to recover after the conflict ends.
He first announced a pause on strikes on the Islamic Republic’s energy targets back on March 23 due to what he described as “very good and productive conversations” his administration was having with the regime.
Trump then extended it to April 6, claiming he did so because “they gave me ships” — meaning oil tankers that Iran supposedly let through the Strait of Hormuz.
Then, Trump last week insisted Iran had begged for a cease-fire, but he rejected it and vowed to bomb the regime “back to the Stone Ages” until it agrees to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
