Trump says Iran ceasefire deal is 'over' after new round of strikes
Tensions with Iran slipped back into chaos Wednesday as the U.S. struck nearly 100 targets within Iran in response to Tehran's attacks on trade vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Coverage for this event has ended.
U.S., Iran war strikes over the management of the Strait of Hormuz continues Thursday, July 9
Coverage of the renewed U.S. and Iran battle over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz continues on the July 9 blog. Follow the latest there.
Trump addresses Air Force One switch after Turkey trip
President Donald Trump on Wednesday disputed a report that security concerns prompted him to leave Turkey aboard the older Air Force One instead of the newly renovated aircraft.
The New York Times reported Trump departed Turkey on the older presidential aircraft rather than the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 as a "security precaution" tied to ongoing hostilities with Iran. The newspaper, citing people briefed on the plans, reported the change was made at the recommendation of the U.S. Secret Service.
Asked about the aircraft change, Trump told reporters the newer Air Force One had been flown separately to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom so U.S. service members stationed there could tour it before he boarded for the flight back to Washington.
Trump was also asked why reporters traveling aboard Air Force One had been instructed to close the window shades during the flight.
The president said it was probably because it was a “dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with.”
When asked whether he was aware of any credible Iranian threat against Air Force One, Trump said he was under threat “all the time.”
“I'm number one on their list,” he added.
The report comes after the United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran on Wednesday.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Secret Service for comment.
Iranian official warns of 'hard slap' after latest US strikes
A spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Wednesday said Iranians would deliver a “hard slap” in response to the latest U.S. military strikes.
Ebrahim Rezaei wrote in a post on X that Iran's late supreme leader taught Iranians “not to fear America.”
He urged people to “wait for the hard slap by Iranians.”
The remarks came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that U.S. forces struck approximately 90 targets in Iran.
One day earlier, the U.S. military said it carried out strikes against roughly 80 military targets.
New US strikes on Iran push oil prices higher
Oil prices climbed Thursday after the United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 74 cents, or 1.01%, to $74.26 a barrel.
Brent crude futures gained 78 cents, or 1%, to $78.80 a barrel.
Both crude benchmarks, WTI and Brent, rose more than $1 in post-settlement trading Wednesday.
Reuters contributed to this report.
US military strikes approximately 90 targets in Iran in latest operation
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that U.S. forces struck more than 90 targets in Iran to further degrade Tehran's ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.
“U.S. forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The latest strikes came one day after U.S. forces carried out what CENTCOM described as “offensive” strikes in Iran, hitting roughly 80 military targets, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats.
Iran warns of 'grave consequences' for US allies after strikes
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman warned Wednesday of "grave consequences" for U.S. allies that participated in any American strikes against Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who earlier Wednesday called the recent U.S. strikes on Iran "absolutely necessary."
“Mark Rutte’s repeated admissions of Europe’s willful complicity in the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran only confirms, once again, that they were not impartial in this brutal unlawful aggression,” Baqaei said in a statement.
“Those who provided their territories, military bases, and infrastructure to enable the aggression cannot evade responsibility for their contribution to an unprovoked aggression and its grave consequences,” he continued.
Baqaei also referred to Rutte as a "courtier," accusing the NATO chief of trying to curry favor with Washington by backing what Iran considers an unlawful U.S. military operation.
Iran undeterred by US military campaign, think tank says
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the Critical Threats Project (CTP) argued in a new analysis Wednesday that recent U.S. strikes on Iran do not appear to be altering Tehran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz.
Over the past two days, the United States has launched a new round of strikes in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
According to the analysis, Iran is attempting to pressure neighboring Gulf states into helping it secure control of the Strait of Hormuz after failing to achieve that objective through diplomacy.
The analysis also said Iran is seeking to impose its vision for the strait's "arrangements," which, according to ISW and CTP, are intended to be established through dialogue with neighboring Gulf states rather than coercion.
Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this reporting.
Analysis says Iran prioritizing Strait of Hormuz over avoiding US conflict
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the Critical Threats Project (CTP) said in a new analysis Wednesday that Iran appears willing to risk renewed large-scale conflict with the United States in an effort to maintain control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The analysis concluded that Tehran's response to the latest U.S. strikes suggests Iranian leaders place a higher priority on controlling the strategic waterway than on avoiding further military escalation with Washington.
Earlier Wednesday, President Donald Trump told reporters he considered the tentative ceasefire with Iran to be "over."
Later in the day, after U.S. forces launched another round of strikes on Iran, Trump said Tehran wants "to make a deal so badly."
Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this reporting.
Iranian parliament speaker warns US: 'If you strike, you'll get hit'
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf issued a warning to the United States on Wednesday after Washington launched a new round of strikes against Iran.
“America still hasn’t learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free,” Qalibaf wrote in a post on X. “Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit.”
“Don’t flail around pointlessly, or you’ll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with ‘Iranian arrangements,’ not American threats,” he added.
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces were conducting a new round of strikes against Iran.
President Donald Trump said later Wednesday that Iran had reached out seeking a deal following the latest U.S. strikes, but he questioned whether Tehran would honor any agreement.
Kuwait says air defenses intercepting ‘hostile’ missiles and drones
Kuwait’s armed forces said Wednesday that the country’s air defense systems are actively intercepting what it described as “hostile” missiles and drones amid escalating regional tensions.
“The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks,” the General Staff of the Army said in a statement.
Military officials said any explosion sounds heard by residents are the result of air defense systems intercepting the incoming threats and urged the public to follow safety instructions issued by authorities.
The announcement comes after the U.S. launched another round of strikes against Iran, prompting concerns of broader regional retaliation.
Bahrain sounds air raid sirens as regional tensions escalate
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said air raid sirens were activated Wednesday night, urging residents to seek shelter as tensions escalated following a new round of U.S. strikes on Iran.
“The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the ministry wrote on X.
The alert comes shortly after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced additional strikes against Iran targeting its ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of further Iranian retaliation across the region.
Trump says Iran reached out after US strikes: ‘They want to make a deal so badly’
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran has again reached out seeking a deal after the U.S. launched a new round of strikes, but questioned whether Tehran can be trusted to honor any agreement.
“They want to make a deal so badly,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They called a little while ago.”
“I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal,” he added. “I don’t know that they’re going to honor the deal. That’s the problem.”
Trump also defended the latest U.S. strikes, saying they were retaliation for Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We hit back much harder,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. would respond “20 to 1 every time they hit us.”
When asked whether the conflict had returned to full-scale war, Trump replied, “I don’t know,” but argued the U.S. had already achieved its military objectives and said Iran has “very little left.”
Mark Levin says Iran ‘needs to be finished off’ after ceasefire collapses
Fox News host Mark Levin argued Wednesday that Iran, not the U.S., was responsible for the collapse of the ceasefire after Tehran resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The enemy sabotaged the MOU, nobody else,” Levin wrote on X. “It was always going to undermine it, as I and others said repeatedly.”
Levin said Iran has been “violating deals for 47 years,” describing the government as “a terrorist regime” whose ideology “compels the elimination of all others on the planet.”
“They need to be finished off,” he added. “Thankfully, hundreds of billions of dollars was not transferred to it.”
Trump switches to new Air Force One in UK after flying older jet from Turkey
President Donald Trump boarded the new Air Force One at RAF Mildenhall on Wednesday after initially flying from Turkey aboard the older presidential aircraft.
Pool reporters traveling with the president said Trump deplaned the older Air Force One before walking across the tarmac to board the newer aircraft for the remainder of the trip back to Washington.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump said the decision to leave Turkey on the older aircraft was not driven by security concerns despite escalating tensions with Iran. Instead, he said the new Air Force One was being flown to RAF Mildenhall so U.S. service members stationed there could tour the aircraft before he continued home aboard it.
The aircraft swap comes as the U.S. launched a new round of strikes against Iran following Tehran’s attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warns Iran strikes will intensify if attacks on shipping continue: 'It will get much worse!'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said recent U.S. strikes against Iran were carried out in response to Tehran’s attacks on commercial shipping, warning that additional Iranian aggression would trigger an even stronger military response.
“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social while sharing an image purporting to show a strike in Chabahar, Iran. “If it happens again, it will get much worse!”
The warning comes after U.S. Central Command announced additional strikes against Iran aimed at degrading its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bernie Sanders calls for end to Iran war after Trump says ceasefire is over
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called for an end to the war with Iran on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Tehran was “over.”
“After getting the United States into a war based on lies, Trump has now declared the ceasefire with Iran ‘over’ after less than a month,” Sanders wrote on X.
“Restarting his reckless war with Iran won’t make America stronger. It will cost more lives and waste more taxpayer dollars,” he added. “END THIS WAR.”
The post comes as Sanders recently rescinded his endorsement of Democrat Socialist Graham Platner in his Senatorial bid against Republican Susan Collins.
Trump says 'Iran lies and cheats' as IRGC emerges as dominant force in negotiations with US
As President Donald Trump voiced growing frustration Wednesday with Iranian negotiators, accusing them of lying and cheating, the latest escalation has exposed an even more fundamental problem for Washington: whether the officials at the negotiating table have the power to deliver an agreement — or whether anyone in Tehran does.
"I don’t know if we’re going to have a deal. We may just do it without a deal," Trump said at the NATO summit in Ankara. "These people, they lie and they cheat."
But Trump’s frustration with Iran’s negotiators is only part of the problem. Since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it has become increasingly unclear who in Tehran has the authority to make — and enforce — an agreement.
Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father as supreme leader after the elder Khamenei was killed in the opening U.S.-Israeli attacks on Feb. 28. But Mojtaba has not appeared publicly since the attack, and U.S. assessments cited by Reuters have described authority as dispersed among senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and powerful civilian officials.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former IRGC commander who led Iran’s negotiating delegation, has emerged as one of the country’s most powerful surviving political figures.
Banafsheh Zand, an Iranian-American journalist and editor of the Iran So Far Away Substack, said power inside the Islamic Republic has fractured since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leaving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as the country’s dominant force.
"The person who is negotiating with the U.S. is not necessarily someone who is endorsed by the others," Zand told Fox News Digital.
She described Ghalibaf as one power center competing with figures including IRGC commander-in-chief Ahmad Vahidi, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani and former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.Vahidi controls the IRGC’s overall military structure, while Qaani oversees its external operations and relationships with Iran-aligned armed groups across the region.
Zarif, by contrast, remains closely identified with the more accommodationist political camp that previously championed negotiations and sanctions relief.
"The hardliners, in terms of their political presence, have also been pushed aside," Zand said. "So really, it’s the IRGC. And within the IRGC, whoever signs the deal is not necessarily signing on behalf of everybody else. They’re signing on behalf of themselves."
Her assessment reflects a central problem facing Washington: Iran’s negotiators, political institutions and military commanders may not share the same interpretation of what was agreed — or the same willingness to implement it.
This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter.
CENTCOM says additional US strikes against Iran are underway
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that American forces have begun conducting additional strikes against Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction.
CENTCOM said the strikes are aimed at further degrading Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has recently targeted commercial vessels.
“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway,” CENTCOM said.
Iran FM fires back after Trump’s criticism, vows response through ‘action’
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi pushed back Wednesday after President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran’s leadership, saying insults directed at the Iranian people “do not diminish” the country’s greatness.
“Iranians are known for their civility, culture, and strong moral values,” Araghchi wrote on X. “We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valor.”
The comments come after Trump intensified his rhetoric against Tehran amid renewed U.S. military strikes and the collapse of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
In a separate post, translated from Arabic, Araghchi thanked Iraq’s government, people and religious authorities for what he called their “warm hospitality” and “dignified farewell” for Iran’s “martyred Imam,” adding that the relationship between Iran and Iraq is rooted in “shared values” and “a common destiny.”
State Department moves to remove Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of his intent to rescind Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, beginning the required 45-day congressional notification period.
Rubio said the move follows Trump’s sanctions relief executive order, counterterrorism actions taken by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa and assurances that Syria “will not support acts of international terrorism in the future.”
“Today marks a significant milestone in the revived U.S.-Syria bilateral relationship,” Rubio said, adding that lifting sanctions is intended to help unlock trade and investment while supporting Syria’s reconstruction.
Vance lays out US red line for Iran: Stop attacking ships or face more strikes
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday the Trump administration’s agreement with Iran was straightforward: The U.S. would ease its blockade if Tehran stopped attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“They were good. They were well behaved for about a week, but then they started shooting at ships,” Vance told reporters in Milwaukee.
“The deal is very simple. If they shoot at ships, we’re going to knock the hell out of them. … They can either follow it or they can have exactly what happened to them last night. It’s just going to keep on happening until they open up that lane and stop shooting at ships.”
Vance said President Trump remains committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic, calling it “that crucial artery through which we ship a lot of the world’s energy.”
US has about 20 warships, 20,000 sailors and Marines in Arabian Sea
The U.S. has roughly 20 Navy ships and support vessels operating in the Arabian Sea, carrying about 20,000 sailors and Marines, according to multiple U.S. Navy officials.
The force includes two carrier strike groups led by the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush, along with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Boxer, USS Comstock and USS Portland.
Officials said a total of 24 U.S. naval vessels are currently positioned across the region, including four guided-missile destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean and at Souda Bay, Greece.
One notable change from last week is that the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have shifted operations to the Indian Ocean, while the USS New Orleans remains in the Arabian Sea.
Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this reporting.
Trump says NATO allies had 'bad moment' for not helping in potential Iran war
President Donald Trump called out Spain, Italy and the U.K. for not offering immediate support in the war against Iran on Wednesday.
Trump made the comment while speaking to the press at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. The president described their response as a "bad moment" but later emphasized the "tremendous unification" he saw among NATO members during their meetings on Wednesday.
Gen Jack Keane says Iran still thinks it can use Strait of Hormuz for 'geopolitical blackmail'
Retired Gen. Jack Keane joined Fox News to discuss Iran's perspective on the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Tehran views it as a "strategic asset" for "geopolitical blackmail."
President Donald Trump says the U.S. made progress in eliminating Iranian small boats used to harass vessels in the strait. He also said multiple countries were planning to deploy minesweeper vessels to the strait.
Trump claims hostilities with Iran will 'be over quickly,' denies full war back on
President Donald Trump denied that he was choosing to restart the war against Iran on Wednesday, claiming instead that the U.S. is only responding to aggression from Iran.
Trump told reporters gathered for a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that the U.S. will always hit back "10 times harder" when Iran launches strikes against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
A reporter pressed Trump on whether he plans to fully renew the war against Iran, and Trump denied it, saying he expects the conflict to be over "quickly."
Schumer blasts end of ceasefire in Iran, calls Trump's negotiations 'utter disaster'
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., blasted President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran war Wednesday after the U.S. renewed strikes against Tehran.
Schumer said Trump's efforts to negotiate with Iran have ended in "utter disaster," and called on the administration to work through Congress to achieve an end to hostilities.
“Trump’s so-called ‘deal’ to end hostilities with Iran has turned into total, utter disaster," Schumer wrote in a statement. “This is what happens when an incompetent president launches a war with no objective, no plan, and no exit strategy – you lose."
"The American people are paying the price for Trump’s total failure in Iran. Our troops are back in harm’s way and high gas costs are continuing to punish working families. Enough. This war was illegal, ill-advised, and irresponsible from the start. The Trump administration must double down on serious negotiations, come to Congress, comply with the majorities in both chambers who voted to end this war, and deliver the relief American families desperately need," he added.
Trump hails 'tremendous love' among NATO countries, praises chief Mark Rutte as 'extraordinary'
President Donald Trump praised the leaders of fellow NATO countries during the summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with other heads of state, Trump praised NATO general secretary Mark Rutte and said there was "tremendous love" among the leaders.
"I also want to thank NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Mark is an extraordinary person, smart, great leader. It's not easy leading so many leaders like that. A lot of leaders, and they're strong personalities, every one of them. And Mark, marked as an unbelievable job. Couldn't find anybody better," Trump told reporters.
"I just want to say there was tremendous love in that room. The press got to see the the sitting, but they didn't get to see the speaking. And I actually said, it's too bad the press couldn't see this because every one of them spoke for a little while, and I spoke for a little while, and it's a big it's a lot of speeches. We kept it short, but it's too bad the press couldn't have seen what we, what we were doing in that room because it was, very smart people. And they have a lot of good in their heart, not evil, good. And they're doing a great job for their country. The world is doing well," he said.
Top Dem admits Trump ‘wisely’ made critical demand to NATO allies: ‘Love and hate relationship’
A top Democratic senator admitted on CBS News that he believes President Donald Trump "wisely" made the critical demand to NATO allies to spend more on defense.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who is in Turkey this week as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation to NATO, spoke with CBS News when an anchor laughingly asked him about Trump’s "strange relationship with NATO over his push for them to spend more on security." The anchor asked Durbin, "Where does this relationship go from here?"
In response, Durbin described Trump’s relationship with NATO as a "back-and-forth, love-and-hate relationship." He went on to say that "the president has, I think, wisely asked for our NATO allies, there are 32 members of NATO, to spend more of their own money to protect themselves."
"That’s not an unreasonable ask," he added.
Durbin, who has served in the Senate for nearly 30 years, is the minority whip and ranking member of the influential Judiciary Committee. He is in Ankara, Turkey's capital, as part of a congressional delegation led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., to the 2026 NATO Summit. Trump is also attending the summit, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
Durbin did not spend all his time praising the president. Speaking from Ankara, he went on to say that "there have been things that happened during his second presidency which raised the question of our commitment to the future of NATO."
"I believe in it; that’s why I’m here. And I’ve found that of the delegates that are here from all over the region, part of NATO, that they believe, as I do, that we’re a safer world with the NATO alliance. We have been since 1945."
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Peter Pinedo.
Denmark vows to defend Greenland after Trump reiterates US should control territory
Greenland is "not for sale," Denmark’s prime minister said Wednesday, vowing to defend the Danish territory after President Donald Trump again said the United States should control the Arctic island for NATO defense.
Denmark is "ready to defend every inch of NATO including our own territory," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, adding she would call on NATO allies to honor their commitment to defend each other.
"We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenland people's right for self-determination," she continued. "And we are sovereign states and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.
"Greenland is of course not for sale," she said.
Trump continues to stress that Greenland "is very important" for the U.S. but not for Denmark, declaring, "We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States."
Also, Denmark is coming up short in its support for Greenland, which remains a strategic target for both Russia and China.
"That's what hurt my relationship with NATO," Trump said Tuesday of the refusal to grant his request for annexation of the strategic land.
"Denmark doesn't spend money to really help Greenland, but it's an important part for the United States. And it's surrounded by China ships and Russian ships."
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Erick Mack.
Trump says he will remove Syria from US list of state sponsors of terrorism
President Donald Trump says he could soon remove Syria from America's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Trump made the comment during a press appearance while meeting with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Turkey.
"Are you going to remove Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism list?" a reporter asked.
"I think I will, yeah. I think I will. Why wouldn't I? He's done a great job. maybe he would have brought that up in a little while," Trump said.
"That's a good question. Yeah. any problems that I think we should? Yeah, I will," Trump said.
Syria is currently one of four countries on the terrorism list, with the others being Iran, North Korea and Cuba.
Ex-Trump official says president has 'all the leverage in the world' against Iran
Former Trump National Security Council senior director Robert Greenway joined "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday to discuss the renewed war against Iran as well as the potential optics it could have on midterm elections.
Greenway argued Trump enjoys huge leverage over the Iranian regime.
NATO countries to deploy minesweeper ships to Strait of Hormuz, Trump says
President Donald Trump says several European NATO countries have committed to sending minesweeper vessels to the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump confirmed the detail during a press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. He said the U.S. anticipates Iran attempting to place more mines in the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.
"And one of the things that came up today is that European nations and NATO will, they're sending minesweepers. We don't need them now...but they'll probably drop some more. They're evil people. They're sick people that really they're mentally disturbed people. And, it should have been done 47 years ago," Trump said.
Trump says US may take Iran's Kharg Island
President Donald Trump says the U.S. may attempt to take over Iran's oil stronghold of Kharg Island on Wednesday.
The president revealed that the U.S. hit the island with airstrikes in a wave of attacks on Tuesday, though he said he instructed military officials to avoid damaging the island's oil infrastructure.
Kharg Island is a major stronghold for Iran leading to the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for a large portion of its oil industry.
"We attacked Kharg Island last night. We knocked out a piece. I said, don't don't touch the oil because maybe we'll take over Kharg Island. You know, we may take over Kharg Island. It's not a thing they can do about it. But I said, don't hit the pipes. Just hit everything else and they hit it," Trump said.
"They may hit it again tonight," he added.
US eliminated 28 Iranian small boats in recent strikes, Trump says
President Donald Trump says U.S. forces eliminated dozens of Iranian small boats in a wave of strikes Tuesday night.
Trump revealed the detail during a gaggle with reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, going on to tease that the U.S. is likely to continue its wave of strikes Wednesday night.
"You know, they have they like to drop mines in [the strait]. And we hit a lot of them last night, like 28. We knocked out 28 boats last night. Little ones. That's all they have is little ones," Trump said.
"Are you going to try to take out more tonight?" a reporter asked.
"Will we go tonight. You know, normally I wouldn't tell you. I wouldn't tell you. But you know what? There's not a thing they can do about it. So the answer is probably," Trump said.
Trump says Iran peace deal may never happen: 'They lie and they cheat'
President Donald Trump says an Iran peace agreement may never happen, despite efforts by top members of his administration.
Speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said Iran's negotiations "lie" and "cheat," and that the U.S. may move forward against Iran "without a deal."
"I don't know if we're going to have a deal. We may just do it without a deal. Because you know what? It's easier because these people, they lie and they cheat, and you have an agreement and they'll go outside. Our guys can continue, you know, Steve [Witkoff] is great. And Jared [Kushner], all the guys," Trump said.
"You know what we settled eight wars. I got a couple of beauties here. But, but Steve's great. And Jared, it's great. You know, there's the right guys. And we'll see what happens," Trump said.
Trump says US will 'probably' hit Iran again tonight
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is likely to carry out further strikes against Iran tonight.
Trump made the statement during a press event at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.
"They are behaving very badly, as they have for 47 years. And, you know, we hit them hard last night after they launched, they launched a couple of--you don't have to know about this. You got enough on your mind--But they launched a couple of drones and one rocket, one missile and at ships because they were in the strait, which they have every right to be. And so we hit them very hard last night. Very, very probably hit them hard again tonight. I'll give them a little warning. We're going to hit them hard tonight," Trump said.
The U.S. already carried out a large wave of offensive strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday after Tehran launched attacks on trade vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said earlier Wednesday that while his negotiators are free to continue talks with Iran, he is no longer convinced it is worthwhile. He has lashed out at the regime in Tehran as "cuckoo," "sick" and "dirty players" in recent days.
Trump calls Iranian regime 'scum' and 'evil' after air strikes
President Donald Trump condemned the Iranian regime as "scum" and "evil" after the U.S. carried out offensive strikes against the country on Wednesday.
Trump lost patience with Tehran after the regime launched attacks against trade vessels in the Strait of Hormuz this week. He says he has no interest in continuing peace talks with the regime, saying it is likely a "waste of time."
Trump lashes out at NATO over Greenland, Iran during tense meeting
President Donald Trump lashed out at NATO allies over their stance on Greenland and defense spending during a high-stakes summit in Ankara.
Trump also criticized NATO countries who were slow to assist or outright refused to assist the U.S. during the war against Iran in recent months.
US claws back key concession to Iran after fresh attacks on commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. is clawing back oil sanctions waivers offered to Iran as part of a framework deal that kicked off a two-month negotiating period after Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz Monday and Tuesday.
A U.S. official confirmed that three commercial vessels were struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz between Monday and Tuesday, reigniting tensions after President Donald Trump said the U.S. had given Tehran "a week off" during funeral ceremonies for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior," a U.S. official said, confirming the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) would revoke the sanctions waivers.
"Iran’s actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences. Our negotiators continue to work in good faith towards a final deal," the official continued.
The sanctions relief was part of a memorandum of understanding signed in June that launched a 60-day negotiating period between Washington and Tehran. Under the framework, both sides agreed to halt military operations while pursuing a broader peace agreement, and Iran committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping in exchange for limited economic relief, including oil sanctions waivers.
The attacks targeted commercial shipping transiting one of the world's busiest maritime choke points. British maritime authorities confirmed a vessel was struck by a projectile near the coast of Oman Monday, while Iranian state media reported the ship had ignored warnings from Iranian forces. The attack reportedly caused a fire on board, but there were no immediate reports of fatalities.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Morgan Phillips.
Hezbollah terrorist eliminated in southern Lebanon after firing on IDF troops, Israel says
Israeli Defense Forces say they eliminated a Hezbollah terrorist who opened fire on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
"IDF soldiers conducted searches of the structure where an encounter took place last Thursday, within the Security Zone in the area of Bint Jbeil, during which an IDF reservist was severely injured," the IDF said in a statement.
"During the searches, a Hezbollah terrorist operating inside the structure opened fire at the soldiers," the statement continued. "The soldiers immediately returned fire, eliminating the terrorist. No IDF injuries were reported."
"The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to its troops and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians," the IDF added.
Qatar 'strongly condemns' Iran's renewed attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait
Qatar's foreign ministry condemned Iran for its renewed missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday, calling them a "blatant violation" of sovereignty.
"The State of Qatar strongly condemns the repeated Iranian attacks on the fraternal Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, considering them a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries and a flagrant breach of the rules of international law," Qatar's foreign ministry wrote in a statement.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the need to spare the region the consequences of unjustified attacks, to continue on the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to reduce escalation, and to build on the gains achieved within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, in a way that contributes to consolidating security and stability at the regional and international levels," the statement added.
The ministry statement went on to say that Qatar stands in "full solidarity" with both Bahrain and Kuwait and whatever measures they choose to take to "preserve their sovereignty and security."
Kuwait shoots down over a dozen Iranian missiles and UAVs, condemns 'heinous' aggression
Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted more than a dozen Iranian missiles and UAVs targeting Kuwaiti territory, the country announced on Wednesday.
The Kuwaiti army says it successfully intercepted two missiles and 13 UAVs that breached Kuwaiti airspace. Authorities said the strikes caused "no material damage or human injuries."
The monthslong conflict with Iran has seen Kuwait shoot down 15 cruise missiles, 383 ballistic missiles and 906 UAVs, the armed forces say.
Kuwait has condemned the regime in Tehran for "heinous Iranian aggression."
Trump says tentative Iran ceasefire is 'over,' calls deal 'a waste of time'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he considers the tentative ceasefire with Iran to be "over," telling reporters alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the alliance's annual summit in Ankara, Turkey, that the agreement had become "a waste of time."
"For me, I think it's over," Trump said. "As far as I'm concerned it's just a waste of time."
Trump said he no longer believes Tehran is negotiating in good faith, accusing Iranian leaders of agreeing to terms privately before publicly denying them.
"They're liars," Trump said. "We make a deal. ... They go outside, talk to the press. They say, 'We never even talked about it.' ... As far as I'm concerned, it's over."
He said U.S. negotiators could continue talks with Iran but predicted they would go nowhere.
"They can talk, but I think they're wasting their time. They're liars, they're cheats. They're sick people."
The comments came hours after the U.S. launched strikes on Iranian military targets and revoked a license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil, saying the moves were retaliation for Tehran's attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the U.S. struck after Iran resumed attacks on ships despite being given time to conduct funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The interim agreement between Washington and Tehran had been intended to reduce tensions and allow commercial traffic to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane that carries roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil. But Iran struck at least three commercial vessels transiting the waterway on Monday and Tuesday, prompting the U.S. military response.
U.S. Central Command said American forces struck more than 80 Iranian targets, including air defense systems, radar sites and Revolutionary Guard vessels used to threaten shipping. Iran responded with strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, fueling concerns the conflict could widen and sending oil prices sharply higher.
Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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