Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and continued exchanges of military strikes, US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, threatening a new round of military action and declaring that the United States would strike the country "very hard tonight." His remarks came as a fragile ceasefire continued to weaken and diplomatic efforts struggled to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a broader regional war.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had already been severely degraded. According to him, much of Iran's naval power, air force, radar systems, air-defence networks, and offensive military capabilities had either been destroyed or rendered ineffective during the ongoing conflict. He suggested that additional military operations were imminent and indicated that Washington was prepared to intensify its campaign if Tehran did not alter its course.
"The United States will be hitting Iran very hard tonight," Trump wrote, asserting that Iran's military defences had been largely neutralised. His statement represented a significant escalation in rhetoric at a time when both sides continue to exchange military strikes and diplomatic messages simultaneously.
Trump also revived a proposal that has featured prominently in his recent comments regarding Iran's energy sector. He stated that at some point in the future the United States would seek to take control of key Iranian oil and gas infrastructure, particularly Kharg Island, which serves as the country's primary oil export hub. Drawing a comparison to American policies toward Venezuela, Trump suggested that such a move could eventually place Iranian energy exports under effective US control.
Minutes after publishing his social media post, Trump reiterated his position during an interview with Fox News. He stated that while diplomatic communications with Iran were continuing, his preferred outcome would involve taking control of Kharg Island. At the same time, he acknowledged uncertainty regarding whether the American public would support a significant expansion of military operations to achieve that objective.
Kharg Island occupies a strategically critical position in Iran's economy. Located less than 20 miles off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf, the island handles nearly 90 percent of the country's crude oil exports. Approximately two million barrels of oil reportedly leave the facility each day, making it one of the most important energy terminals in the Middle East. A substantial portion of these exports is destined for Asian markets, particularly China.
Trump's comments came at a particularly sensitive moment in the conflict. While diplomats continue attempting to negotiate a settlement, military confrontations have persisted across the region, increasing concerns that the situation could escalate into a much larger confrontation involving multiple countries.
Military operations continued throughout Thursday. The United States reportedly conducted strikes targeting Iranian surveillance systems, communication infrastructure, and air-defence installations. According to Washington, these operations were launched in response to what American officials described as continuing Iranian aggression and threats to regional security.
Trump also suggested that military action could intensify if Iran failed to agree to terms being proposed by the United States. According to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump indicated that the current phase of strikes could eventually stop, but warned that significantly larger bombing campaigns would resume if Tehran refused to sign an agreement promptly.
Iran responded by launching attacks against American military facilities across the Gulf region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had targeted 18 US military sites, including installations in Kuwait and Bahrain as well as the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Iranian forces also claimed responsibility for a separate missile strike against the al-Azraq air base in Jordan.
These developments underscored the increasingly dangerous nature of the conflict, with both sides demonstrating their willingness to carry out direct military operations while simultaneously maintaining communication channels for negotiations.
Despite the escalating violence, diplomatic discussions have continued behind the scenes. During his Fox News interview, Trump stated that Washington and Tehran were still exchanging messages and working toward a possible preliminary agreement. This suggests that even as military operations continue, neither side has completely abandoned efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
According to Iranian and European sources cited by Reuters, negotiators have reportedly reached a broad understanding on certain issues. However, substantial disagreements remain unresolved, preventing the conclusion of a formal agreement. One of the most significant obstacles concerns the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets that remain frozen in foreign financial institutions.
Reports indicate that Iran is seeking access to between six and twelve billion dollars of these frozen funds. The United States, however, reportedly prefers a phased approach under which any released money would be limited to humanitarian purposes and distributed gradually rather than transferred directly to Tehran.
Sources familiar with the negotiations suggest that discussions continue regarding both the amount of money to be released and the timetable for future access to additional funds. The issue has become one of the central points of contention in the ongoing talks.
One Iranian source quoted by Reuters described the current conflict as increasingly unsustainable from a military perspective. According to the source, neither side has been able to fully achieve its objectives through military action alone, creating stronger incentives for diplomatic engagement. The source also indicated that progress had been made during negotiations despite the continued fighting.
For Iran, securing access to frozen financial assets and achieving an end to the conflict reportedly appear to be immediate priorities. Observers familiar with the talks suggest that Tehran may currently be more focused on economic relief and de-escalation than on negotiating a comprehensive long-term settlement.
The situation therefore presents a complex picture in which military escalation and diplomatic engagement are occurring simultaneously. While Trump continues to issue forceful warnings and threaten additional strikes, negotiators on both sides remain engaged in discussions aimed at preventing the conflict from expanding further. Whether these diplomatic efforts can keep pace with the rapidly evolving military situation remains one of the most important questions facing the region.
