--- title: "\"38 Bridges in the Crosshairs\": Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran and Confirms Navy Combat Readiness" description: "Donald Trump stated that the US will resume strikes against Iran if there is no progress in nuclear deal and Strait of Hormuz negotiations, confirming the region's naval combat readiness." date: 2026-11-08T19:05:48.547Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trump-ultimatum-iran-strikes-hormuz tags: [trump, iran, us-military, nuclear-deal, strait-of-hormuz] author: "Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "38 Bridges in the Crosshairs": Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran and Confirms Navy Combat Readiness ![US President Donald Trump speaking during a press conference at the White House](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/08/tramp-ultimat-iran-udar-ormuzskiy-proliv/tramp-ultimat-iran-udar-ormuzskiy-proliv-1.webp) ## Key Points - Trump linked the resumption of strikes on Iran to a lack of progress in nuclear talks and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. - The US President announced full naval combat readiness, mentioning three aircraft carriers and 38 bridges as potential targets. - Reports indicate that divisions within the US administration have intensified regarding further steps toward Iran. US President Donald Trump stated that the American military will resume strikes against Iran if there is no progress in negotiations regarding the nuclear deal and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, the final decision depends on whether Tehran agrees to sign a "very serious agreement." The head of the White House emphasized that, in his estimation, the Iranian regime currently has no other way out than to accept Washington's demands. ### Ultimatum on the Nuclear Deal and the Strait of Hormuz Trump designated Iran's readiness to sign a "very serious agreement" and ensure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as the key condition for maintaining the peace track. The US President directly linked the possibility of resuming strikes to the lack of progress in these two areas and stated that he is ready to use force if necessary, noting that he had previously delivered a "very serious blow" to the Iranian side. ### "Failed State": Betting on Economic Pressure Justifying his tough stance, Trump called Iran a "failed state" and cited macroeconomic indicators that, according to him, "appeared this year": inflation in Iran, by his estimate, stands at 301%. Against this background, he stated that the likelihood of resuming strikes is "extremely low," but the US is ready to carry them out if necessary. ### Combat Readiness: Aircraft Carriers and "38 Bridges in the Crosshairs" According to the US President, American military forces in the region are in full combat readiness and can launch an operation upon his command. "I have three aircraft carriers here. Another one just arrived. We have three of them. They are fully ready for combat," the head of the White House stated. Furthermore, he asserted that the US has already identified potential targets for new strikes, specifically energy and transport infrastructure facilities: "We have 38 bridges in our crosshairs that we can destroy in literally one hour." ### "I'm a Good Builder": Reluctance to Destroy Infrastructure At the same time, Trump stated that he would prefer not to inflict massive damage on Iranian infrastructure, as rebuilding it, by his estimate, could take years. "It will take essentially 10 years to rebuild it... I don't like destroying bridges. And a bridge is the most difficult structure to build. It takes years, and I'm a good builder," he assured, effectively outlining an economic argument against a large-scale operation. ### Admin Divisions and Three Scenarios It was previously reported that Trump is considering several different action scenarios in the Middle East, while divisions within the US presidential administration have intensified regarding further steps concerning Iran. Earlier, according to RFI, Washington also linked readiness for a massive strike to other scenarios, including threats against the American leadership, indicating the multi-variant nature of the US military strategy in the region. ## Fact-Check & Sources - ["Готовы к бою": Трамп выдвинул Ирану жесткое требование](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/gotovi-boyu-tramp-visunuv-iranu-zhorstku-1794162580.html) - Primary source: Trump's quotes on the ultimatum, 301% inflation, three aircraft carriers, 38 bridges, and 10 years of rebuilding; context on three scenarios and administration divisions. - [Трамп заявил о готовности нанести массированный удар по Ирану в случае покушения на него](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B2-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5/20260711-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BF-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB-%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%83-%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B0%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BA%D1%83%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE) - Used as context: Trump previously linked readiness for a massive strike ("a thousand missiles") to an assassination attempt scenario; does not contradict the main ultimatum. ## FAQ ### Under what condition will the US resume strikes against Iran? According to Trump's statement, if there is no progress in negotiations on the nuclear agreement and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran fails to sign a "very serious agreement." ### What targets for strikes did Trump name? He mentioned energy facilities and transport infrastructure, specifically stating that "38 bridges are in the crosshairs," which he claims can be destroyed in an hour. ### How many aircraft carriers, according to Trump, are in the region? Trump stated that he has "three aircraft carriers," one of which "just arrived," and that they are fully ready for combat.