Trump threatens to destroy Iran power plants as reports emerge of downed U.S. F-35

President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Iran on Thursday by threatening to target the country's critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The President's message demanded that Iran's "New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!" While Trump did not specify what actions Iran must take, he emphasized that the United States "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran."

In a significant development occurring hours after Trump's threats, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian forces had shot down a U.S. F-35 fighter jet over central Iran. The agency circulated images on Telegram, including a photograph appearing to show aircraft debris marked with "U.S. Air Forces in Europe" on what looked like a tail section.

Neither U.S. Central Command, which has operational responsibility for the Middle East region, nor Iranian authorities had responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

Escalating "Stone Age" Rhetoric

Trump's infrastructure threats represent the latest escalation in his increasingly aggressive stance toward Iran. The comments followed his nationwide address on Wednesday, during which he promised the U.S. military would strike Iran "extremely hard" over the coming two to three weeks, vowing to "bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded defiantly to Trump's "stone age" comments on X (formerly Twitter), pointing out the potential global economic implications. "There was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East back then," Araghchi noted, questioning whether Trump and his supporters truly understood the consequences of such threats.

"Are POTUS and Americans who put him in office sure that they want to turn back the clock?" the Foreign Minister asked.

Regional Impact and Strategic Implications

The escalating conflict has already produced significant economic disruption. Iran has effectively halted tanker traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transportation, following U.S. and Israeli military actions against the country on February 28.

Trump has consistently employed his "stone age" rhetoric as the conflict entered its second month, coinciding with a continued U.S. military buildup in the Middle East that shows no signs of abating.

Despite multiple reports suggesting diplomatic outreach from the United States—including proposed ceasefires and a comprehensive 15-point peace plan to resolve the conflict—Iran has repeatedly and publicly contradicted accounts of ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration. These diplomatic tensions underscore the complex challenges facing efforts to de-escalate the current crisis through diplomatic channels.