Image: from Mario Nawfal X @MarioNawfal
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has set a definitive deadline for the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a catastrophic escalation of military force that he claims will target the nation’s power grid and infrastructure.
In a series of volatile posts on Truth Social this Easter Sunday, the President demanded that Tehran end its blockade of the vital waterway—through which 20% of the world’s oil flows—or face the destruction of its civilian utilities.
BREAKING: Trump just threatened to commit more war crimes against Iran.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant day and Bridge day all wrapped up into one, in Iran. Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell.”
The crazy bastard is Trump, not Iran. pic.twitter.com/gRJqP5S368
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) April 5, 2026
The Tuesday Deadline
The President’s rhetoric reached a fever pitch less than 12 hours after the successful rescue of a U.S. F-15E crew member. Trump specified that the Iranian government has until Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time to comply with U.S. demands.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump wrote in a post laden with profanity. “Open the Fin’ Strait, you crazy b**ds, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!”
In subsequent calls to reporters, including correspondents from the Wall Street Journal and ABC News, the President reiterated his stance, suggesting that the very existence of the country’s infrastructure is at stake. “If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants, and they won’t have any bridges standing,” he told the Journal.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump goes full unhinged mode on Iran:
"Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards"
Another normal and calm Sunday in Trump World. https://t.co/2MUi2BZAsC pic.twitter.com/5EyEUbBGGl
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 5, 2026
Shift in Strategy and International Law
The threat to target power plants and bridges marks a significant and controversial shift in U.S. military posture. Critics and legal experts have noted that targeting civilian infrastructure could violate international law.
When questioned about the potential suffering of Iran’s 93 million citizens, Trump remained undeterred, claiming that the Iranian people are already “living in hell” and would support his actions.
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The Stated Goal: Reopening the Strait of Hormuz to restore global oil flow.
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The Timeline: Trump claims the conflict “should be wrapped up in days,” moving up previous estimates of two to three weeks.
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The Civilian Impact: Trump told ABC’s Rachel Scott that “the civilians want me to do it.”
A Pattern of Escalation
This is not the first deadline issued by the administration during this crisis. On March 20, the President threatened to “obliterate” Iranian assets within 48 hours, only to extend the deadline on March 23, citing “productive conversations” that Tehran later denied ever took place.
Despite the looming Tuesday deadline, Trump told ABC News he has no intention of moving the date again. “I don’t want to talk about it; they have plenty of time to make a deal,” he reportedly said. “If they don’t want to make a deal, their whole country is gone.”
While the administration and its allies maintain that Iran’s military capabilities have already been severely degraded, the prospect of a full-scale assault on the nation’s energy and transport sectors has sent shockwaves through global markets and diplomatic circles.