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US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Iran, threatening to destroy the country's bridges and electric power plants if Tehran does not agree to a deal. In response, an Iranian military spokesman has warned that Iran will strike US and Israeli targets across the Middle East if Washington follows through on its threats. The exchange comes amid an ongoing US-Israeli military operation against Iran that began on February 28, according to multiple reports.
Coverage Comparison
The threats and counter-threats were reported by the Russian state news agency TASS, which has provided extensive coverage of the crisis. All four TASS articles agree on the core facts: Trump has repeatedly threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure, and Iran has responded with warnings of retaliation. However, the framing differs across the reports, with some emphasizing Iran's response, others focusing on Trump's demands for a deal, and one highlighting the possibility of US ground troops being deployed to Iran.
The reports also consistently state that the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, with major Iranian cities including Tehran struck. They further report that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other key Iranian leaders were killed in the joint attack. These claims appear in multiple articles from the same outlet, but have not been independently verified by other news organizations in the materials reviewed.
Key Claims
According to TASS, Trump threatened to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants in a series of statements on his Truth Social platform and in public addresses. In one post, he wrote: "Our Military… hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, fast!" In a televised address, Trump said: "If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants, very hard and probably simultaneously." He also warned of striking oil infrastructure, noting that while the US had not yet struck Iran's oil, "we could hit it and it would be gone."
In response, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for Iran's Khatam-al Anbiya headquarters, warned that Iran would conduct "powerful and destructive attacks on key facilities and assets" in the region if US threats were carried out. His remarks were carried by Iranian state media, as reported by TASS. Zolfaghari specifically referenced Trump's threats to destroy bridges, power plants, and energy infrastructure.
According to two of the TASS reports, the White House justified the February 28 military operation by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. These claims have not been independently verified outside of TASS's reporting.
A separate report, citing The Hill, states that Trump hasn't ruled out sending American ground troops to Iran. When asked in a phone interview whether he would rule out deploying troops, Trump reportedly replied: "No." He added: "Smart people would make a deal." This claim is carried by a single outlet and has not been confirmed by other sources in the materials reviewed.
Another claim, also from The Hill via TASS, indicates that Trump said the US would be prepared to consider striking any infrastructure facilities in Iran if no deal is reached.
Perspectives
The TASS reports consistently present the conflict from a perspective that highlights Iran's military readiness and the potential consequences of US escalation. They quote Iranian officials extensively and emphasize the destruction caused by the US-Israeli operation. The framing often focuses on the aggressive nature of US threats, describing them as "hollow statements" and warning of a powerful Iranian response.
The reports also convey Trump's negotiating position, portraying him as demanding a deal from Iran's "new leadership," which he describes as "less radical and much more reasonable." This suggests a potential opening for diplomacy, even as military threats continue.
The lack of independent verification for key claims — particularly the reported deaths of Khamenei and other leaders, and the full extent of the military operation — underscores the difficulty of obtaining reliable information amid an active conflict. As the situation develops, further reporting from a range of sources will be essential to establish a fuller picture.
This article was compiled from TASS reporting. Claims attributed to other outlets, such as The Hill, are based on TASS's summaries and have not been independently confirmed.