U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended President Donald Trump’s renewed threat to decimate Iran’s power infrastructure and bridges amid his push to attempt to strike a take care of the nation forward of one other spherical of in-person talks in Pakistan on Monday.
Trump posted on his social media platform Sunday morning, “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.”
Waltz instructed ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl that “all options are on the table.”
U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz seems on ABC News’ “This Week” on April 19, 2026.
ABC News
“We could take that infrastructure out relatively easily. The Iranian air defenses have been absolutely decimated,” he stated.
Waltz pushed again towards accusations that such strikes would violate worldwide legislation, arguing that infrastructure used for twin navy and civilian functions is a lawful goal.
But pressed by Karl on how hanging each single power plant and bridge would not be a struggle crime, Waltz stated that it could be an escalation and in contrast the present battle to World War II.
“That would be an escalatory ladder. And if you go back in the history of warfare, go all the way back to World War II, of course, we bombed and took down bridges, other infrastructure, power plants that, yes, could be used for civilian, but also are used to manufacture drones and missiles,” Waltz stated.
“The Iranian regime in particular, and its terrorist proxies have a long history of actually deliberately hiding military infrastructure in hospitals, schools, neighborhoods and other, and other civilian assets,” he added. “They have no ground to stand on.”
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, showing on “This Week” after Waltz, pushed again towards the president’s threats — saying that the U.S. was escalating to “devestation” in Iran.
“They said they want to escalate to de-escalate. They’ve escalated to devastation. I mean, you have the pope lecturing America about possible war crimes. You have the president, as you pointed out, threatening to destroy all power plants. I didn’t think we would ever get to that point,” Khanna instructed Karl.
Khanna additionally criticized the administration for not specializing in home points.
“Why aren’t we addressing the needs of the American people? I’m Team America. He [Trump] seems to be more obsessed with the Middle East,” he stated.
On newly introduced negotiations with Iran, Waltz stated key U.S. negotiators would head to Islamabad.
“I have to remind everyone, these are the highest-level engagements between the United States and the Iranian regime in the 47 years, since it first came to power,” Waltz stated.
He added, “So I don’t think anyone can say, President Trump isn’t putting diplomacy first. Of course, that is backed by significant and very real and very capable military power.”
In the interview, Waltz stated that Vice President JD Vance can be main the delegation once more, however shortly after, Karl referred to as the president to make clear who can be attending. Trump stated Vance wouldn’t attend this spherical as a result of the Secret Service didn’t really feel comfy sending the vice chairman to Pakistan on 24 hours’ discover. A White House official instructed ABC News that Vance goes, together with particular envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.
