WASHINGTON/CAIRO – U.S. President Donald Trump issued a profanity-laced warning to Iran, threatening severe military action if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or reach a deal with Washington.
In a social media post, Trump said Tuesday “will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” The statement signaled potential U.S. plans to target key Iranian infrastructure amid escalating tensions.
Trump’s deadline for reopening the strait has shifted multiple times. In a recent national address, he suggested the waterway could “open up naturally” once the conflict subsides. The near shutdown of the strait, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, has already driven a sharp increase in global fuel prices.
Despite the administration’s aggressive posture, the conflict remains unpopular among Americans, according to recent polling, while Trump has indicated the war could conclude within weeks.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces carried out a complex and high-risk operation to rescue an American airman whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down inside Iran.
The injured weapons systems officer evaded capture for more than a day, hiding in mountainous terrain behind enemy lines. Armed with only a pistol, a communication device, and a tracking beacon, he climbed to a ridgeline approximately 7,000 feet above sea level to avoid advancing Iranian forces.
A large-scale rescue effort involving hundreds of U.S. military and intelligence personnel was launched to extract him. Special operations forces led the mission, supported by U.S. aircraft conducting airstrikes to secure the area. Central Intelligence Agency operatives also carried out a deception campaign to mislead potential Iranian pursuers.
The operation faced multiple complications, including the destruction of two damaged U.S. special operations aircraft on the ground to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
“WE GOT HIM!” Trump wrote on social media after monitoring the mission from the White House. “Over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.”
The rescue followed an urgent search effort after the aircraft was downed. While the pilot was recovered quickly, officials withheld confirmation as efforts continued to locate the second crew member.
Trump escalates rhetoric on Iran as U.S. rescues downed airman in high-risk mission.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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