Trump again threatens Iran's infrastructure ahead of his latest Strait of Hormuz deadline

Iran warAhead of his latest Strait of Hormuz deadline, Trump threatens Iran's energy infrastructureIn a post on Truth Social, the president used expletives to refer to Iran's leadership, threatening strikes on Tuesday after a series of past threats and extended deadlines.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTim Kaine calls on Trump to 'dial back the rhetoric' after US jet is downed in Iran: Full interview13:03Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 5, 2026, 10:01 AM EDTBy Freddie Clayton and Megan LebowitzPresident Donald Trump has threatened major strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure and bridges ahead of his latest deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.He used an expletive, referenced Islam, and described Iran's leadership as "crazy bastards" in a Truth Social post Sunday, repeating past threats if Iran misses the deadline.In a post on Truth Social, Trump threatened a major bombing campaign on Tuesday.Trump has previously threatened to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure before delaying action, citing what he says are ongoing negotiations. On March 21, Trump said Iran had a 48-hour deadline to open the strait “without threat,” or the U.S. would “hit and obliterate” its power plants.He then extended an initial five-day deadline to April 6, before warning Iran on Saturday that it had 48 hours to make a deal or "all Hell will reign down upon them."An attack on civilian infrastructure can be considered a war crime under international law. Responding to Trump's post on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said rhetoric from the administration had been "embarrassing and juvenile."He told moderator Kristen Welker: "People see this president as having blundered into a war with no clear rationale, and there's no amount of cursing or boasting or tough talk that will cover up for the fact that t...