Former US President Donald Trump declared on July 22, 2026, that the United States will respond to any Iranian attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz by bombing and destroying one Iranian bridge or power plant. Trump specified that targets could include facilities located "next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran."

He made this announcement on his Truth Social network as the conflict between the US and Iran intensified, with strikes widening from southern to western and central Iran.

Trump's statement came shortly before he attended an airbase ceremony for the return of remains of three US troops killed in Iranian attacks on American military facilities in the Gulf. He said he intended to "honor our heroes and they're indeed great heroes," emphasizing the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The situation remains volatile, with Jordan's army reporting interception of Iranian missiles aimed at the coastal city of Aqaba, and alerts issued in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, four more tankers altered their course in the Red Sea after threats from Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, raising concerns over global oil supply disruptions.

An Iranian health ministry official reported that 53 civilians have been killed and 592 wounded in the ongoing conflict this month. Trump also stated that 18 US service members have died so far, including four in recent Iranian attacks on US bases in Jordan and Iraq.

Following a brief US-Iran ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz has again become a focal point of geopolitical tension. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the US would continue to protect its interests in the region.

Sources