In recent days, Mr. Trump has abandoned the more optimistic tone that a diplomatic resolution could be met to draw the war to a close and has instead issued increasingly forceful warnings to Iran’s leadership.
On Wednesday, Mr. Trump warned that Iranian strikes against vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz would be responded to with attacks on key infrastructure.
“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran,” he wrote in a post to his social media site.
Moments later, as he was preparing to depart for the dignified transfer of four American service members killed in the conflict, Mr. Trump previewed more strikes telling reporters that Iran was “going to pay a big price.”
“They’re getting decimated,” he added.