Trump: We can knock down every bridge, power plant in Iran
Trump says the US could knock down every bridge and every power plant in Iran in a day if Tehran walks from a deal. Crude, defense names, and shipping back in play.
President Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran at the NATO summit in Ankara, saying the US could take down every bridge and power plant in the country if Tehran walks away from a nuclear deal. He said the US is not attacking at the highest level, that the highest level are the bridges which could be knocked down in one day, and that Iran’s electric manufacturing facilities and power plants would be taken out if necessary.
What Trump actually said
Trump named Iran’s electrical manufacturing facilities, electric plants, and desalination plants as targets Washington is considering if tensions escalate, adding he would prefer not to hit the desalination plants.
The remarks came a day after overnight airstrikes reportedly targeted Kharg Island, the central hub of Iran’s oil export industry. Trump also declared the ceasefire with Iran is “over” and said the US should “finish the job.”
Oil is the immediate tape
Brent crude rose 6% to $78 a barrel after the fresh round of fighting. Any confirmed strike on Iranian power or export infrastructure would tighten an already jumpy crude market.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and LNG normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and the war has already knocked out an estimated 10% of global oil supply and damaged more than 80 energy facilities across the region, according to the International Energy Agency.
Do you want to see how to make more plays? Do you want to find gains yourself?
Unusual Whales helps you find market opportunities through our market tide, historical options flow, GEX, and much, much more.
Create a free account here to start conquering the market with Unusual Whales.
Diplomacy in the background
The White House said special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner would land in Islamabad Monday evening for the next round of talks, though whether Vice President JD Vance will join them is unclear, with Axios reporting he will lead the delegation and Fox News reporting he will not.
Trump also announced that the destroyer USS Spruance had seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, firing into its engine room and putting Marines on board. The blockade posture is still tightening even as negotiations are teed up.
Options market and stocks to watch
Traders should watch the defense complex and energy names for follow-through if strikes on Iranian bridges or power plants materialize.
- LMT: Watch for demand narratives around precision-strike munitions if the campaign broadens.
- RTX: Watch for flow tied to missile-defense and Tomahawk exposure.
- XOM and CVX: Watch as any Kharg Island or Hormuz escalation directly moves crude.
- USO: Watch for volatility spikes tied to Brent headlines out of the region.
For more geopolitical and macro coverage, see other news on Unusual Whales.
Want more market intelligence? Create your free Unusual Whales account for options flow, market tide, GEX, and the full toolkit.