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Trump renews threats to ‘knock out’ Iran’s power plants, bridges if final deal fails

April 20, 2026

US President Donald Trump renewed on 19 April his threats to attack Iranian power stations and bridges if the Islamic Republic does not agree to Washington’s terms for an agreement.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform, while announcing talks would continue in Pakistan on Monday.

Trump renews threat to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran refuses to submit to US demands and make a deal in upcoming Pakistan talks. pic.twitter.com/0KL4tTmG52

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) April 19, 2026

“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!” Trump added.

Trump also said in his post that Iranian forces opened fire at British and French vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

“That wasn’t nice, was it? My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations. Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it.”

“They’re helping us without knowing, and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million Dollars a day! The United States loses nothing. In fact, many Ships are headed, right now, to the U.S., Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to load up, compliments of the IRGC, always wanting to be ‘the tough guy!’”

After having reopened it following the Lebanon truce, Iran reclosed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, citing Trump’s vow to continue blockading Iranian ports despite a ceasefire.

Tehran also opened fire at two Indian-flagged vessels attempting to cross, which New Delhi labeled a “serious incident.”

In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said: “No vessel should make any movement from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered as cooperation with the enemy.”

Earlier, Iran’s military said, “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Sunday that the US naval blockade violates the ceasefire and international law, breaching Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and constituting an act of aggression under UN Resolution 3314.

“It constitutes an act of aggression … and amounts to war crime and crime against humanity.”

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei:
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"The United States’ so-called 'blockade' of Iran’s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal. It violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter; it constitutes an… pic.twitter.com/9FspGngv4L

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) April 19, 2026

Trump’s threat came as a New York Post correspondent said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for a second round of Iran-related talks.

Mehr News Agency reported on Saturday that Iran had not agreed to a new round of talks with the US, citing Washington’s naval blockade and what it described as excessive demands.

Also on Saturday, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said progress has been made but “fundamental differences” remain and Tehran is still far from a deal, warning the US and Israel could resume the war when the ceasefire expires.

According to Al Jazeera, at least two major hotels, including the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, which hosted previous negotiations, have reportedly asked guests to vacate amid heightened security measures.

Local authorities have also moved to restrict heavy transport and public buses across the capital.

Tehran has not confirmed participation. Semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported: “The Iranian negotiating team has underscored that as long as US President Donald Trump’s declaration regarding a naval blockade of Iran remains in place, there will be no negotiations.”