The White House threatened further escalation of attacks on Iran, including critical civilian energy infrastructure, as the fifth week of war jolts global markets with little sign of relief.

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on Monday posted on social media that if Tehran doesn¡¯t reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ¡°we will conclude our lovely ¡®stay¡¯ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating¡± electricity plants, oil facilities and ¡°possibly¡± desalination infrastructure.

Trump has regularly vacillated between saying a deal with Iran is imminent and warning he¡¯s prepared to increase the military tempo. The threat to water facilities would constitute a war crime as defined by the Geneva Conventions.