US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could launch further strikes on Iran “hard tonight” as tensions between the two countries intensified following a new exchange of attacks.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit on Wednesday, Trump accused Tehran of “behaving very badly” over a recently signed peace memorandum of understanding.
He cited recent drone and missile attacks, as well as what he described as “assaults” on US ships, as reasons for possible further military action.
Trump said the United States could also resume a naval blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and suggested that Washington could consider taking control of Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export hub.
He also claimed that the United States had lost 200 people during the latest conflict in the Middle East.
Despite issuing fresh threats, Trump indicated that US negotiators could continue diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
His remarks came as the United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks from Tuesday night into Wednesday, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities.
The United States launched strikes on around 80 Iranian targets, saying the action was in response to recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it had targeted 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation.
