U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran’s tallest bridge had been destroyed, shortly after issuing a warning to bomb the nation “back to the Stone Ages.”

Trump indicated that military operations would intensify, without specifying when they might conclude. His statements prompted threats of retaliation from Iran and caused stock prices to tumble.

“We plan to strike them intensely over the next two to three weeks. We’re intent on returning them to the Stone Ages,” Trump declared during a speech on Thursday.

Following his speech, Trump continued his threats on Truth Social, stating, “IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

He shared a video showing smoke billowing from the B1 bridge in Karaj, approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Tehran, and cautioned that further actions would follow if Iran did not engage in negotiations to conclude the five-week conflict.

Ghodratollah Seif, deputy governor of Alborz province, where the B1 bridge is situated, reported that the attack resulted in eight deaths and 95 injuries, as confirmed by state TV and the Fars news agency.

The B1 bridge, which was still under construction, is the Middle East’s tallest according to Iranian media, with a 136m column.

The war, which was started more than a month ago by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread throughout the Middle East and roiled the global economy.

Iran trades threats, strikes

After Trump’s address, Iran threatened “crushing” attacks on the United States and Israel, firing missiles at Tel Aviv.

After strikes on the Iranian bridge, the country’s Fars news agency listed several bridges in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Jordan as potential targets for Iranian military operations.

Iran also offered a competing vision for future control of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption in normal times but is now virtually closed.

An official said Iran was drafting a post-war protocol that would supervise the strait’s maritime traffic with Oman, though it said it was yet to begin negotiations with Muscat.

Trump said the war could escalate if Iran did not give in to Washington’s terms, with strikes on its energy and oil infrastructure possible.

He told countries that rely on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to “just grab it”.

However, European and other states have said they will only help secure the strait if there is a ceasefire.

Dozens of countries meet to discuss Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom chaired a virtual meeting of some 40 countries to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the focus was on diplomatic and economic tools.

“It can only be done in consultation with Iran,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Italy called for a “humanitarian corridor” to be opened through the strait for fertiliser, to head off a food disaster in Africa.

Although the meeting ended without any specific agreements, there was a consensus Iran should not be able to introduce transit fees on ships using the waterway and all nations should be able to use it freely, one official said.

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