Less than 24 hours after the successful rescue of the second U.S. airman in Iran, President Donald Trump delivered a new threat and timeline to Iran on Sunday morning, vowing to launch significant strikes against the country’s energy infrastructure and bridges.
Trump used an expletive, referred to Islam, and described Iran’s leadership as “crazy bastards” on Truth Social. He repeated past threats if Iran fails to meet the deadline.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump said. “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!”
The president set a new deadline of 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday for Iran to reach a deal with the U.S., extending the deadline once again. During a series of news interviews on Sunday afternoon, Trump expressed his willingness to send ground troops. He also mentioned that he is considering taking over Iran’s oil reserves if the country fails to accept a deal, which he anticipates will be reached by Monday.
Trump has previously threatened to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure before he postponed his action, citing ongoing negotiations. On March 21, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, demanding that it open the strait “without threat” or face the U.S. retaliatory strike against its power plants.
On Sunday, Trump posted, “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” A White House official confirmed that the date is now the deadline for Iran to reach a deal with the U.S.
However, in an interview with ABC News, Trump sounded less hopeful that a deal could be reached, saying, “I have no idea with these people. There could be a deal, and there could also not be a deal. I don’t know.”
Trump’s message was startling even to those in Washington who have grown accustomed to his rants on social media. Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said the president “has gone insane.”
“On Easter morning, this is what President Trump posted,” Greene, who is against the Iran war, said on X. “Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump’s madness.”
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) spoke to NBC’s “Meet the Press” and expressed that the president’s remarks were “embarrassing and juvenile.” Additionally, Senator Kaine cautioned that these comments could potentially increase the risk to future downed airmen if they are captured in Iran.
“If you send the message that there’s no quarter for the folks on the other side, that really encourages them to mistreat our folks,” Kaine, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “It’s people trying to act like they’re puffed up and tough, when what we really see from the administration in this war is the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale, no effort to get allies on board.”
