Trump Escalates Threats Against Iran, Targeting Civilian Infrastructure
Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark new warning to Iran, threatening to bomb bridges and electric power plants in a bid to pressure Tehran into signing a deal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, "Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" He added that Iran's leadership "knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!" This comes after Trump celebrated the partial destruction of Iran's largest bridge, urging Iran to "make a deal before it is too late."
Civilian Casualties and Iranian Defiance
The attack on the bridge, which occurred during celebrations for Sizdah Bedar, or Nature Day, resulted in at least eight fatalities and approximately 95 injuries, according to state media reports. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded defiantly, stating that attacks on civilian infrastructure "will not compel Iranians to surrender." He emphasized, "It only conveys the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray. Every bridge and building will be built back stronger. What will never recover: damage to America's standing." The bridge was reportedly still under construction at the time of the strike.
Economic Fallout: Oil Prices and Global Energy Crisis
JP Morgan has issued a warning that oil prices could surge to $120-$130 per barrel in the near term, with a risk of exceeding $150 if disruptions to supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz persist into mid-May. The financial institution's base-case scenario assumes the strait will be resolved through negotiations after a period of supply strain, keeping prices above $100 a barrel through the second quarter of 2026. However, JP Morgan cautioned that prolonged high prices could lead to depressed demand and a potential recession, highlighting the broader macroeconomic risks.
In response to the energy crisis, Bangladesh has implemented measures including curtailing office hours and enforcing early closures of malls and shops. The country's cabinet has ordered a 30% spending cut on fuel and power at government offices, suspended staff training, and halted purchases of new vehicles. With 95% of its fuel reliant on imports, Bangladesh is seeking alternative sources and $2.5 billion in external financing to manage the crisis.
Military Movements and Humanitarian Toll
The US military has shared photos of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which is actively engaged in operations against Iran. Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest American aircraft carrier, has departed Croatia and remains poised for potential deployment to the Middle East, where it could face threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iranian Red Crescent reported that over 2,000 people have been killed in the war, with at least 21,000 injured and approximately 3% of Iran's population internally displaced.
Iran has also proposed a joint monitoring initiative with Oman for the Strait of Hormuz, citing wartime conditions that disrupt normal navigation rules. As the conflict drags on, global tensions continue to rise, with economic and humanitarian consequences spreading beyond the immediate region.
