WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Sunday ratcheted up pressure on Iran, threatening in an Easter Sunday social media post to target Iran's power plants and bridges on Tuesday if the strategic Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" Trump said in a Truth Social post, referencing the vital shipping lane that Tehran has effectively closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than a month ago.
"Open the [expletive] Strait ... or you'll be living in Hell—JUST WATCH!" Trump said, ending his Easter morning post with: "Praise be to Allah."
Later on Sunday, the president in a follow-up post gave a more precise deadline: "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!"
The White House did not respond to a question on whether Trump was indicating a time when the United States would attack Iran.
Trump's threats follow an intense 48-hour rescue operation for two U.S. pilots inside Iran. Trump said in an earlier Sunday social media post that the second pilot rescued was "seriously wounded" and is a "highly respected Colonel."
"The rescue was an Easter Miracle," Trump said in a text message to NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday before heading to his Washington golf club. "Such a rescue has never happened before in so violent an enemy territory."
In at least seven Sunday interviews, Trump continued his threats against Iran as he pushed for concessions. He told Fox News that Iran is negotiating and that a deal is possible on Monday, but if not, he will "take" the country's oil. In an interview with ABC News, Trump said the conflict should be over in days, not weeks, but if not, "we're blowing up the whole country" and there is "very little" off the table.
The president also posted online that he will hold a Monday news conference with the U.S. military from the Oval Office.
Last week, the president said the United States would carry out aggressive strikes on Iran over the next two to three weeks and is nearing completion of its main strategic objectives in the war.
On Sunday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that attacks against U.S. economic interests in the region would be intensified if attacks on civilian targets in Iran are repeated.