Trump vows to bomb Iran's bridges and power plants for each ship attack

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated threats against Iran, vowing to bomb bridges and power plants in response to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi oil tankers, as global oil prices surged past $100 a barrel amid deepening regional tensions. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for striking two Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, marking a new phase in the conflict that has already disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s warnings, issued via Truth Social, underscore a shift toward targeting Iran’s infrastructure, with the U.S. Military conducting its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian positions.

The Houthi attacks, which occurred on Wednesday, targeted the Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla, with the Encelia reportedly set ablaze near the Red Sea port of Jizan. Saudi state media confirmed the fire but did not immediately verify the attack on the Layla. The Houthis, who control northern and western Yemen, announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, aiming to divert oil shipments through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a critical route connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. The group’s military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, stated the strikes were retaliation for a Saudi blockade of Houthi-controlled areas and an air strike on Sanaa airport.

Trump framed the Houthi attacks as an extension of Iranian aggression, accusing the group of acting as a “surrogate and/or proxy of Iran.” He pledged “major military punishment” for both the Houthis and Iran, vowing to destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant for each ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. This threat follows weeks of U.S. Airstrikes targeting Iranian military assets, including missile storage facilities and coastal surveillance sites. Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones at U.S. Bases in Jordan and Kuwait, with Jordan’s military intercepting most of the attacks.

The violence has exacerbated global energy market instability. Brent crude oil surged past $100 a barrel for the first time since May, driven by fears of further disruptions to supply routes. The Houthis’ blockade has already prompted several tankers to reroute through the Suez Canal, adding costs and delays to global trade. Goldman Sachs analysts warned that prolonged conflicts in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb could push Brent crude above $120 a barrel by year-end, with further price spikes if the Suez Canal faces persistent disruptions.

The U.S. Military has intensified its campaign against Iran, with Central Command stating it has redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one to prevent ships from entering or departing Iranian ports. The strikes, which began in February, have cost the U.S. Over $37 billion and resulted in 18 American service members killed, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Despite growing congressional pressure, including a House vote requiring congressional approval for the war — though likely to be vetoed by Trump, military operations continue under Trump’s directive.

Iran has escalated its own retaliatory measures, targeting energy infrastructure in Kuwait and Jordan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have closed the Strait of Hormuz by forcing tankers to use a “mined and unsafe route,” resulting in at least one vessel catching fire. Iranian state media also reported strikes on U.S. Missile systems and fuel storage sites in Jordan, though details remain unverified. The conflict has drawn international condemnation, with the European Union labeling the Houthis’ actions “irresponsible” and Oman offering to mediate talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

As the crisis deepens, the humanitarian and economic toll grows. The war in Yemen, which began in 2015, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing starvation. The latest escalations risk further destabilizing the region, with analysts warning of a potential broader conflict involving U.S., Iranian, and regional forces. For now, Trump’s hardline stance and Iran’s defiant responses show no signs of abating, leaving global markets and maritime routes in precarious uncertainty.