New Delhi: Donald Trump has issued a strongly worded warning that the United States could target Iran’s power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. The remarks, posted online in an expletive-filled message, prompted swift and critical reactions from Iranian diplomatic missions worldwide.

Trump made the remarks on Truth Social shortly after announcing what he described as a “miraculous” rescue of a US fighter pilot, calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US history”.

Iran claims operation was foiled

Iran responded by stating that it had successfully thwarted the operation and released images that appeared to show wreckage of several aircraft. However, it did not explicitly deny that US forces had managed to extract their pilot.

Tehran also drew parallels with Operation Eagle Claw, a failed American attempt to rescue personnel in Iran.

“History repeats itself. Operation Eagle Claw, a historic US military failure in Iran's Tabas Desert. April 24, 1980,” Iran’s embassy posted on X.

Details of the alleged rescue operation

A spokesperson for Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters described the US mission as a “so-called rescue operation”, claiming it was in fact a deceptive extraction attempt under the guise of retrieving a downed pilot at an abandoned airstrip in southern Isfahan.

He said the mission “ended in total failure after Iranian armed forces arrived in time”.

Meanwhile, US media outlets including The New York Times and CBS reported that the rescued airman, identified as a weapons systems officer, carried a pistol, a locator beacon and secure communication equipment to coordinate with rescue teams.

According to these reports, two aircraft intended for extraction became stranded at a remote base in Iran and were destroyed to prevent capture. Three other transport planes were then used to evacuate the pilot and the rescue team.

Iran’s military claimed it had shot down four US aircraft involved in the mission, which it said used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province. Iranian media reported that five people were killed during strikes linked to the operation.

Footage released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps showed what was described as charred remains of a US aircraft scattered across a desert, with smoke still visible.

Escalation around the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, and has carried out strikes on Israel and several Gulf nations. Trump has warned Tehran against restricting maritime traffic through the passage.

His comments came as Omani and Iranian deputy foreign ministers were reportedly engaged in discussions on easing navigation through the Strait. Despite the rising tensions, many residents in Tehran appeared largely unfazed by the developments.

According to reports, scenes in the city reflected normal life, with groups picnicking in parks, young people playing games and music playing in public spaces. A man was also seen flying a kite near the Milad Tower.

Iran’s response to US officials

Iran also reacted sharply to comments by Trump aide Karoline Leavitt, who had praised US troops. In response, Iran’s embassy issued a pointed message on X criticising US actions and inviting users to add to its list of grievances.

The conflict has continued to spread across the region. Iranian strikes targeted infrastructure in Gulf countries, with civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait reportedly sustaining damage.

Pro-Iran groups also launched two attacks on US diplomatic locations in Iraq, according to the US embassy in Baghdad.

Meanwhile, Lebanon has increasingly been drawn into the conflict as the Iran-backed Hezbollah intensified strikes against Israel. Israeli forces have retaliated and advanced into southern Lebanon.

As per reports, that an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon’s Kfar Hatta killed a family of six waiting to evacuate, along with a relative who had arrived to assist them. Another strike in southern Beirut left at least four people dead, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Warning over nuclear risk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the Bushehr nuclear plant could have catastrophic consequences.

He said radioactive fallout from such strikes could “end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran”, noting that Bushehr is geographically closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than to Iran’s capital.

With agency inputs