Trump: Iran bridges, power plants destroyed by 8 p.m. Tuesday
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- Trump threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran by 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, saying "complete demolition" is achievable in four hours, with the deadline tied to demands that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe joined Trump in opening the briefing to describe the rescue of a downed U.S. airman whose fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces in western Iran last Friday; Trump said Iran "got lucky."
- Pakistan and two other mediating countries submitted a 45-day ceasefire proposal to both the U.S. and Iran on Sunday, which Trump called "a significant step" while refusing to discuss the potential ceasefire on camera.
- Trump suggested for the first time the U.S. "may even get involved with helping them rebuild their nation" if he orders more intensive strikes, and separately floated charging U.S. tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world's oil transits — has pushed U.S. gas prices to an average of $4 per gallon, and Trump acknowledged prices "might last into the summer."
- Asked whether strikes on civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes under international law, Trump said he wasn't concerned, adding: "I hope I don't have to do it."
- A CNN poll released last week found Americans oppose the war in Iran, with Republicans who strongly approve of Trump dropping to 43% from 52% in January, as midterms approach in roughly seven months.
Why it matters: Trump has tied an 8 p.m. Tuesday ultimatum on Iran's bridges and power plants to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, whose blockade has driven U.S. gas to $4/gallon. With midterms seven months out, his strong-Republican support dropped 9 points since January — yet he is simultaneously threatening strikes, musing about helping rebuild Iran, and calling a rival 45-day ceasefire "a significant step."
