🚨 President Trump declared that the United States will carry out “VERY HARD” strikes against Iran tonight, saying the next round of bombings will be larger and more powerful.
Trump claimed that much of Iran’s air defense, radar, naval, and offensive military capabilities have already been degraded.
Trump: “The US will be hitting Iran very hard tonight.”
Trump: “There will be more bombing tonight. It'll be bigger, bigger, more powerful.”
Trump: “Iran is finished. We could send our forces in tomorrow, but I do not want to deploy ground troops.”
Trump also stated that U.S. aircraft are flying over Tehran without Iranian awareness.
Trump: “U.S. aircraft are flying over Tehran, and they are unaware.”
⛳ Trump repeatedly referenced Kharg Island and other Iranian oil infrastructure as future U.S. objectives.
He said taking Kharg Island would place Iran’s oil and gas markets under U.S. influence, comparing the approach to U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Trump: “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their oil and gas markets.”
Trump later told Fox News: “My preference would be to take Kharg Island. Not sure the U.S. has the appetite for it.”
Trump also acknowledged that controlling Kharg Island would require maintaining a military presence capable of defending the area.
“The reason why this is so significant is because if you take control of Kharg Island, you will take control yet again of the economy of Iran… But if you take Kharg Island, you have to control it. And that means you put U.S. men and women in danger of taking fire on behalf of Iran.”
🌉 Trump said bridges and other infrastructure remain possible targets, but stated that he is avoiding strikes that could heavily impact civilians.
Trump: “Bridges are the next target for our strikes, but I don't want to do that because when I do, people will suffer.”
Trump: “I prefer not to attack bridges and power plants. People won't be able to drink water, I don't want that.”
Trump also said the U.S. could “take over the whole place” with a limited force deployment, while stressing that he does not want American boots on the ground.
Trump: “We can walk in there tomorrow. We could take soldiers - I don't want to have boots on the ground - but if I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the whole place.”
⛓️💥 U.S. officials continued emphasizing economic pressure against Iran alongside military operations.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any Iranian attacks against Gulf allies or shipping would result in additional financial consequences funded through Iranian assets.
Bessent: “The Iranian regime will lose the zero-sum game it is playing.”
Bessent: “Every attack Iran launches will only deepen the economic and financial consequences it faces.”
🗣️ Iran and affiliated outlets issued additional threats tied to ongoing U.S. operations in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Iran threatened to turn the Middle East “into hell” if U.S. Hormuz operations continue.
Iranian outlet Fars News reported that assets connected to Elon Musk and Starlink infrastructure in Israel, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, and Oman may now be considered targets due to their role in supporting U.S. and Israeli operations.
Mehr News Agency reported explosions near the maritime area of Sirik city, saying the sounds are believed to be connected to ongoing clashes or exchanges of fire in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
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