Trump Threatens to Flatten Iran as Bombing Kills More Than 1,900

President Trump declared that every bridge in Iran will be decimated and every power plant will be out of business if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“• Mounting threats: US President Donald Trump appeared to set a new deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz”

CNN

Trump offered little clarity on whether the threats represented an escalation or continuation of five weeks of bombing that killed more than 1,900 people in Iran.

CNN

The shift from degrading military capabilities to threatening civilian infrastructure drew sharp condemnation from legal experts.

Four Iranian officers were killed during the U.S. rescue mission.

Iranian officials called Trump's threats delusional and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to U.S. shipping.

The blockade affects about 20% of global oil trade.

NBC News

Israeli strikes on Iran's civilian infrastructure killed 77 people in Kashan.

Five weeks in, there is no sign of regime collapse.

Targeting energy infrastructure raised profound legal and ethical questions.

“Live updates: Trump says he doesn't know if he's winding down or escalating war with Iran Iran has warned of a “more severe and expansive” response if the president follows through on his expletive-laden threat to strike energy infrastructure and bridges”

NBC News

Attacking civilian infrastructure would be a war crime under international law.

Trump brushed off concerns about war crimes.

The credibility of the 8 p.m. deadline was questioned given multiple postponements.

Global markets reacted to the war's continued uncertainty.

The S&P 500 ended down as the deadline passed with no deal.

The Guardian

Oil prices remained elevated.

The Strait of Hormuz closure compounded disruption at Bab al-Mandeb.

Congressional Democrats demanded briefings on the legal justification for strikes.

The Atlantic Council described the strikes as a high-risk gamble with unclear objectives.

The Hilltop

Iran's defense ministry declared war would continue until the last American soldier leaves.