US President Donald Trump said that the strikes carried out by the United States against Iranian targets were "decisive", stressing that the subsequent attacks were "just a retaliation" for them, in statements that reshape the next phase between Washington and Tehran and raise questions about the future of the negotiation track.
In remarks published by US media, Trump claimed that he had received "a call from Iran desperately seeking a settlement", but questioned Tehran's seriousness, saying he did not trust it would "abide by any future agreement".
He added that Washington's goal "is not war, but the complete denuclearization of Iran," adding that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon "must have the support of all."
The US president noted that he was "number one on the list of targets by Iran", stressing that Tehran targeted 3 US boats, not 2, and that any new attack "will be met with a much stronger response".
In an escalatory tone, Trump said the U.S. had "dealt a very harsh blow to Iran" and that the U.S. response would be "20 times over" every time U.S. forces were attacked, adding that the latest strike was "in response to the bombing of ships," warning that repeating attacks would make "the situation much worse."
US official: Iran's truce temporarily suspended
A U.S. official told CNN that the ceasefire with Iran is no longer in effect, at least temporarily, and that the situation with Iran remains volatile and there is a possibility of additional strikes beyond what he has announced.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had begun, under the direction of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to launch additional strikes against Iran to undermine its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, U.S. Central Command forces have begun additional strikes against Iran to undermine its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a statement.
According to CENTCOM, US forces launched a series of precision strikes targeting more than 80 Iranian sites. The targets included Iranian air defence systems, command and control networks, coastal radar stations, and anti-ship missile capabilities, as well as more than 60 IRGC small boats stationed in and around the strait.
Axios quoted a US official as saying that the US military is conducting strikes against Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
"The targets of the strikes include IRGC coastal radars, anti-ship missile sites and air defence systems," the official added.
Iranian media: Explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik
An explosion was heard in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that a new attack against Iranian facilities, including power and water plants, could be launched.
The Iranian news agency did not provide further details about the source or nature of the explosions, nor did there be an official confirmation from Tehran about the attack or who was responsible.
Trump called Iran's leaders "crazy and should have been eliminated 47 years ago," saying Iran's strikes were a violation of the interim agreement and that the Iranians were wrong to do so.
The president reiterated that "the Iranians cannot have nuclear weapons," saying they "would have used them if they had them." He pointed out that the agreement between his country and Iran "stipulates that it must stop the nuclear program or we will do it."
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance hinted that his country could attack Iran tonight, noting that Iran "promised to stop targeting ships, but what happened 24 hours ago is that they are back firing," and threatened a strong response if the Iranians bombed ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
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