{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35","title":"Trump Calls Iran's Bluff on Strait Deadline","domain":"wsj.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/35439435/pexels-photo-35439435.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Strait of Hormuz","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"5ddf7fb9","id":"5ddf7fb9-37eb-4bfe-a444-2ce9f07aaedf","description":"Trump gave an eight-minute WSJ interview threatening to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants unless it reopens the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night.[[1","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Trump gave an eight-minute WSJ interview threatening to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants unless it reopens the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)[[2]](https://www.wsj.com/world/trump-warns-in-journal-interview-that-he-could-strike-every-power-plant-in-iran-47556f0d)\n- He set the deadline explicitly for Tuesday evening, with U.S. and Israel targets ready to cripple Iran's economy.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n- The interview signals Trump's pressure tactics amid the ongoing Iran war to force concessions on key chokepoints.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n\n## The story at a glance\nPresident Trump spoke to WSJ reporter Meridith McGraw in an eight-minute interview on April 6, 2026, where he framed his threats against Iran as calling its bluff. The main people involved are Trump, WSJ, Iran, the U.S. military, and Israel. This comes amid the Iran war, with Iran reportedly blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route.\n\n## Key points\n- Trump warned Iran has until **Tuesday night** to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of all its bridges and power plants.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n- U.S. and Israel have targets lined up to hit Iran's economy hard and make war recovery long and painful for the regime.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n- The interview lasted eight minutes and was conducted by WSJ's Meridith McGraw; Trump positioned the ultimatum as testing Iran's resolve.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n- Broader context includes Jamie Dimon's separate warning of higher inflation and interest rates from the Iran war.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n\n## Details and context\nThe Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway through which much of the world's oil passes; Iran has reportedly closed it during the war, spiking risks to global energy supplies.\n\nTrump's threats build on prior U.S. actions in the conflict, including rescues of downed airmen and strikes near nuclear sites, per WSJ live coverage.[[3]](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-news-trump/card/wrl0BZUIhdwyF2mHP0co?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfB6hGXAgTd-1lfmOloVSdKO6K_2HDPS-7tZe5_k2gHJ9WIvYMa_JJ8&gaa_sig=6AKrDRre0G5oMckbYDv6gzf7FHdlXhX4cIP9P2p3y_Q2e4jCP4Km_Uzlg_Ni7b2NXd1dYAwDC8uFLxRwHRIxqA%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69d3b6ef)\n\nThis approach aims to pressure Tehran without full invasion, though aides have discussed ending the war quickly to avoid domestic backlash.[[4]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-tells-aides-he-wants-speedy-end-to-iran-war-eb9f2b4b?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqepn24eihUkJV0CEuuSB4TuG0jJgH-8BjD2Bkkid7-GaOH_Q7IBgiIE&gaa_sig=W5oyuIUyZI3zIKfpU9M8aPqhABs0tIHFT-HRy3NJsVlQqgxh6zRtO9Hu6rdBl6GGyPGkEa1ZbTF5JQ4DhhZr2Q%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69d3b6ef)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"Iran has until Tuesday night to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or he will destroy all of the country’s bridges and power plants.\" – President Trump, to WSJ's Meridith McGraw[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe stakes involve global oil flows, potential escalation in the Middle East, and U.S. credibility in deterring Iran from nuclear advances or regional aggression.\nFor readers, businesses, and investors, this means oil price volatility, inflation risks, and supply chain disruptions if the strait stays closed.\nWatch Iran's response by Tuesday evening and any U.S. strikes, though deadlines may shift based on talks or military developments.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35)","hashtags":["#iran","#war","#trump","#wsj","#middleeast","#oil"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-says-hes-calling-irans-bluff-in-eight-minute-interview-with-wsj-9d7b2a35","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/world/trump-warns-in-journal-interview-that-he-could-strike-every-power-plant-in-iran-47556f0d","title":""},{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-news-trump/card/wrl0BZUIhdwyF2mHP0co?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfB6hGXAgTd-1lfmOloVSdKO6K_2HDPS-7tZe5_k2gHJ9WIvYMa_JJ8&gaa_sig=6AKrDRre0G5oMckbYDv6gzf7FHdlXhX4cIP9P2p3y_Q2e4jCP4Km_Uzlg_Ni7b2NXd1dYAwDC8uFLxRwHRIxqA%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69d3b6ef","title":""},{"url":"https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-tells-aides-he-wants-speedy-end-to-iran-war-eb9f2b4b?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqepn24eihUkJV0CEuuSB4TuG0jJgH-8BjD2Bkkid7-GaOH_Q7IBgiIE&gaa_sig=W5oyuIUyZI3zIKfpU9M8aPqhABs0tIHFT-HRy3NJsVlQqgxh6zRtO9Hu6rdBl6GGyPGkEa1ZbTF5JQ4DhhZr2Q%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69d3b6ef","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-06T13:22:00.008Z"}