• Former President Trump signals willingness to target bridges and power plants in Iran.
  • Rhetoric escalates as negotiations over nuclear program face hurdles.
  • Markets eye potential disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump is not backing down from his hard-line stance on Iran, refusing to rule out strikes on civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants if Tehran does not yield to demands for a ceasefire or nuclear concessions. The comments, made in a recent interview, underscore the former president’s willingness to escalate military pressure, raising the stakes in a standoff that has already seen repeated warnings from both sides.

According to people familiar with the matter, Trump’s posture is part of a broader strategy to force Iran back to the negotiating table, though it risks miscalculation and unintended escalation. Iran has publicly rejected the terms being pushed, and analysts warn that threats to civilian targets could inflame regional tensions and draw condemnation from allies.

The economic repercussions are already being felt. Oil prices edged higher on Friday as traders priced in a higher probability of supply disruptions, with Brent crude climbing 0.8% to $73.40 a barrel. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil consumption, remains a key flashpoint. “Any direct conflict with Iran could send oil prices sharply higher, even if actual attacks are limited,” said a former U.S. energy official.

Efforts to restart diplomacy have hit a snag in recent weeks, with European mediators struggling to bridge the gap between Washington’s demands and Tehran’s red lines. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has attempted to distance itself from Trump’s comments, though it has stopped short of criticizing them outright. “We’re not going to comment on the specifics of what a future administration might do,” a State Department spokesperson said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal dynamics.

The threat to infrastructure echoes previous confrontations, such as the 2020 strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, which led to a brief but intense period of market volatility and diplomatic turmoil. While Trump’s latest comments may be partly rhetorical, they underscore the fragile nature of the current equilibrium.

Attempts to reach representatives for Iran’s mission to the United Nations were unsuccessful. Industry observers remain watchful, with the risk of a spiral in hostilities seen as elevated in the coming weeks. As one Washington-based analyst put it, “We’re in a game of chicken, and neither side seems willing to blink.”