JUST IN: President Trump’s top aides push for strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges, saying it could cripple missile and nuclear programs – WSJ
Washington, D.C. – April 3, 2026 | Reflecto News
Senior aides to President Donald Trump are advocating for expanded U.S. strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges, arguing that such targets could severely cripple Tehran’s ability to sustain its missile and nuclear programs, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The push comes as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, now in its sixth week under Operation Epic Fury, intensifies, with recent strikes already hitting petrochemical facilities and a reported major operation in Tehran that President Trump claimed killed numerous Iranian military leaders.
Details from the WSJ Report
Trump’s inner circle reportedly believes that targeting electricity generation and key transportation infrastructure (including bridges) would:
- Disrupt power supply to missile production facilities, command centers, and nuclear-related sites.
- Hamper the movement of troops, missiles, and heavy equipment across Iran.
- Create broader pressure on the Iranian regime by affecting civilian infrastructure and daily life, potentially accelerating collapse or forcing concessions.
The aides argue this approach would deliver a decisive blow without requiring a full ground invasion, aligning with Trump’s repeated warnings that Iran must “make a deal before it is too late.”
President Trump himself has publicly posted video of recent strikes on Tehran and stated that with “a little more time” the U.S. could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure major energy benefits.
Current Military Landscape
The proposal for power plant and bridge strikes follows:
- Coordinated U.S.-Israeli bombing of petrochemical facilities in Iran.
- The downing of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle, with one crew member rescued and ongoing combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations involving low-altitude flights and mid-air refueling of helicopters deep inside Iran.
- Iranian claims of striking a U.S. rescue helicopter and offering rewards for downed pilots.
- A reported Iranian missile malfunction striking near Tehran.
- IAEA “deep concern” over strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Iran has rejected key elements of the U.S. 15-point peace proposal, refused a meeting in Islamabad, and authorized limited humanitarian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while a Japanese LNG tanker successfully transited the waterway.
Diplomatic and Economic Backdrop
- Ceasefire talks remain at a dead end.
- International calls for de-escalation continue, including Russian President Putin’s recent conversation with Turkish President Erdogan.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Saudi Arabia for regional talks.
- Global energy markets stay volatile, with Russia asserting it will not seek permission from other countries to supply its oil.
Critics warn that striking power plants and bridges risks significant civilian hardship, potential environmental damage, and further escalation, including possible retaliation against U.S. or allied assets. Supporters within the administration view it as necessary leverage to force Iran toward the 15-point framework.
Reflecto News will continue monitoring any official White House response, Pentagon statements, Iranian reactions, and potential shifts in targeting strategy. This proposal, if acted upon, could mark a significant escalation in the conflict.
By Reflecto News Desk
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Axios, Iranian state media, and international wire services.