WireApril 6, 2026 at 10:01 PM
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President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran during a White House press conference on Monday, stating that the U.S. could disable the nation’s electrical grid 'in one night' if Iran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. Trump’s comments marked an escalation in tensions as the U.S. seeks to enforce access to the critical shipping lane.
Trump’s threat appears to reference the potential use of graphite bombs, military technology designed to short-circuit electrical infrastructure without causing permanent damage. Officially designated the BLU-114/B, these bombs release carbon fiber filaments that disrupt power grids by causing cascading short circuits. The U.S. has previously deployed this technology, most notably during the Gulf War and NATO operations in the Balkans, where it disabled large portions of Iraq’s and Serbia’s electrical grids, respectively.
'They’re gonna have no power plants, Stone Ages,' Trump said, emphasizing the potential consequences for Iran.
Iran’s electrical grid, while vast, is already struggling with chronic blackouts and electricity shortages, making it potentially vulnerable to such an attack. The country operates around 130 thermal plants with a combined capacity of 78,000 megawatts, spread across a landmass more than three times the size of Iraq. However, its aging infrastructure could amplify the effects of a targeted disruption.
Trump also hinted at the use of a classified weapon referred to as the 'discombobulator,' which he claimed was used to disable defensive systems during the January raid on Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Speculation suggests this could be a sonic or directed-energy weapon, though details remain undisclosed.
The president’s remarks raise questions about the legality of targeting civilian infrastructure under international humanitarian law, though Trump dismissed such concerns, asserting that the Iranian people would be willing to endure hardship for the sake of 'freedom.'