US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States would strike an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks a vessel in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The warning marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has shown little sign of easing and continues to raise concerns over global energy supplies and economic stability. The prolonged hostilities have already pushed fuel prices higher ahead of the US midterm elections later this year.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, remains largely disrupted due to repeated Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, intensifying tensions in the region.
Overnight, US forces launched another round of airstrikes on Iran, while Iranian air defense systems were activated over Tehran. Iran also fired missiles toward a city in Jordan near the Israeli border, prompting security alerts in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, with both Washington and Tehran increasingly targeting infrastructure to gain strategic advantage. Iran has responded to US strikes by attacking energy facilities and desalination plants that supply drinking water in several Gulf countries.
International humanitarian law generally prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure unless it is being used for military purposes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday condemned such strikes, describing them as "unacceptable."