U.S. Warns 'All Options' on Table for Potential Strikes on Iran

UN Ambassador Mike Waltz says the U.S. is prepared to take action against Iran's infrastructure, including potential attacks on power plants.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:05am

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In an interview on Face the Nation, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the U.S. is not ruling out any options, including potential strikes on Iran's power infrastructure, in response to Iran's threats to block the Strait of Hormuz. Waltz emphasized that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls much of the country's critical systems, making them potential targets. He stated that if the goal is to degrade Iran's military capabilities, then all options should remain on the table.

Why it matters

The U.S. warning signals an escalation in tensions with Iran, raising concerns about potential military conflict and the possibility of attacks on civilian infrastructure. This comes after President Trump threatened to strike Iran's power plants if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The details

Waltz defended the potential for strikes on Iran's infrastructure, stating that since the IRGC controls much of the country's critical systems, including its economy and government, those systems could be considered legitimate military targets. He argued that if Iran is using its infrastructure to repress its own people, attack neighboring countries, and pursue nuclear weapons, then those targets become valid. Waltz also dismissed concerns about the impact on water supplies, saying the U.S. would ensure any strikes are targeted at Iran's military capabilities.

  • On March 22, 2026, President Trump warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face potential U.S. strikes on its power plants.
  • On March 23, 2026, Mike Waltz made the comments on Face the Nation defending the possibility of strikes on Iran's infrastructure.

The players

Mike Waltz

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, who emphasized that the U.S. is not ruling out any options, including potential strikes on Iran's power infrastructure, in response to Iran's threats.

President Trump

The President of the United States, who threatened to strike Iran's power plants if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Antonio Guterres

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, who said last week that attacks on energy infrastructure by either side could be considered a war crime.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

A designated terrorist organization by the U.S. and some European countries, which Waltz says controls a large part of Iran's infrastructure, economy, and government systems.

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What they’re saying

“I would never take anything off the table for the president.”

— Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the UN

“When you have a regime that has its grips in so much critical infrastructure that's using it to further, not only the repression of its own people, to attack its neighbors and in contravention of U.N. sanctions, to march towards a nuclear weapon, then that makes those legitimate targets.”

— Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the UN

What’s next

The Biden administration and international community will likely continue to monitor the situation closely and consider further diplomatic and economic measures to address Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program.

The takeaway

The U.S. warning of potential strikes on Iran's infrastructure, including power plants, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries. This raises concerns about the risk of military conflict and the potential impact on civilian populations, as well as the broader implications for regional stability and global energy supplies.