U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch another major military strike against Iran and hinted at reinstating a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, less than 24 hours after American forces carried out retaliatory attacks on Iranian targets.
Speaking on Wednesday in Ankara, Trump suggested that further military action remained a strong possibility when asked if additional U.S. strikes were imminent.
“You know, normally I wouldn’t tell you, but you know what, there’s not a thing they can do about it. So, the answer is probably.”
He added:
“I’ll give them a little warning: We’re going to hit them hard tonight, but we’ll see how it all works out,”
The president also stated that he was not “happy” with Iran’s leadership.
Trump further revealed that his administration was considering restoring the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a measure that was lifted last month after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at easing tensions.
During the previous blockade, U.S. forces redirected 142 commercial vessels that complied with military instructions and disabled nine ships that failed to follow warnings issued by American forces operating in the region.
“We may put down the blockade, we may put it back to blockade, and it’ll only be a blockade for Iran,” Trump said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also signalled Washington’s readiness to escalate the conflict if directed by the president.
“Even more and even deeper”
Hegseth said the Pentagon would strike Iran if Trump authorises further military operations.
On Tuesday evening, the U.S. military launched a series of coordinated strikes across Iran, targeting more than 80 locations with precision-guided weapons. According to United States Central Command, the attacks destroyed air defence systems, command-and-control infrastructure, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile sites and more than 60 boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps positioned in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation was carried out in response to recent Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels navigating the strategic waterway.
Trump also disclosed that although U.S. forces struck Kharg Island, they deliberately avoided its oil export infrastructure, which processes approximately 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports.
He added that American forces could target Iran’s desalination plants if necessary, but noted:
“I would hate to do that.”
Trump also suggested that the United States could potentially assume control of Kharg Island, which is located in the Persian Gulf.
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