Trump Threatens Iran Civilian 03/30 07:13

   

   DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday 
threatened widespread destruction of Iran's energy resources and other vital 
infrastructure if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached soon.

   In a social media post, Trump said "great progress is being made" in talks 
with Iran to end military operations but bristled that if a deal is not reached 
and and if the strategic Hormuz Strait is not immediately reopened, the U.S. 
would broaden its offensive by "completely obliterating all of their Electric 
Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization 
plants!)."

   On the ground, the war showed no sign of letting up: Tehran struck a key 
water and electrical plant in Kuwait, and an oil refinery in Israel came under 
attack. Israel and the U.S. launched a new wave of strikes on Iran.

   Trump's social media post and earlier comments in an interview with the 
Financial Times that suggested American troops could seize the country's Kharg 
Island export hub highlight how he has repeatedly said that talks with Iran are 
ongoing -- and even going well -- though Tehran denies negotiating directly. 
But at the same time, he has continually ramped up his threats, as thousands 
more Marines and other U.S. troops pour into the Middle East.

   It remains unclear where the diplomatic effort facilitated by Pakistan 
stands. Iran's attacks on its Gulf neighbors could add another element of 
uncertainty to any talks. The United Arab Emirates -- which has long billed 
itself as a beacon of safety and stability in a volatile region -- has been 
hard hit in the war, and increasingly is signaling it wants Iran disarmed in 
any ceasefire. Iran's theocracy likely won't accept that.

   Trump says diplomacy is going well but suggests military expansion is 
possible

   In the interview with the FT, Trump said his preference would be to "take 
the oil in Iran" -- a move that would require seizing Kharg Island -- the 
terminal through which nearly all of Iran's oil exports pass.

   "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't," he continued. "We have a lot 
of options."