Donald Trump has said the US could hit Iran “hard” with more strikes in the coming hours after earlier saying he believed the ceasefire between the two countries was “over”.
Although the US President’s rhetoric varied throughout the day as he spoke of a forceful response to Iran’s alleged ceasefire violations.
“This could be a big attack, and it will knock out a lot of things,” he said, sitting next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey.
“I give them a little warning. We’re going to hit them hard tonight.”
President Trump said the U.S. is not attacking at the “highest level,” saying strikes on infrastructure such as bridges, power plants and desalination plants would be targeted “if necessary.”
Trump calls Iran ‘scum’ and Ukraine wins big on turbulent day at NATO
He also suggested that Kharg Island, a vital oil site, would also be affected.
Bar Trump rejected suggestions that any further strikes would mean a return to all-out war.
“I don’t think there will be a war again,” Trump said.
“I think it will happen very quickly.
“They hit a couple of ships, so we hit them a lot harder—when they hit, we hit them ten times harder.”
Iran’s Press TV, citing a security source, reported that every new US attack would be met with two Iranian attacks in response and that the regime in Tehran would close the Strait of Hormuz again.
Trump called Iran “scum”
Earlier in the day, Trump was furious over further attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which the US responded to with strikes on Iranian boats across the Persian Gulf.
Explosions were also reported in Iranian port cities, including Bandar Abbas.
Iran has carried out retaliatory missile and drone strikes on countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain.
“I think (the deal) is over, I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum.”
Mr. Trump said.
“They are sick people, they are led by sick people, and they are vicious, cruel people.”
The vessels were identified by US Central Command as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats before they were hit by a new wave of US military strikes. (Reuters: Supplied/US Central Command)
He was later asked why he described Iran’s leadership that way when he suggested weeks ago that it was reasonable.
“I met them,” Trump responded.
The US leader said US negotiators will continue talks with Iran in an attempt to reach a lasting peace agreement despite these latest developments.
This is despite Iran repeatedly insisting that it will not move forward with negotiations on the future of its nuclear ambitions or continued control of the Strait of Hormuz until the interim deal is fully implemented.
The key to this is the first point of the agreement, which requires a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Perhaps related to this situation, or perhaps as a trivial comment, Mr. Trump said he believed Israel would “want” to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon.
For now, Israel has shown little interest or urgency in doing so, as it believes the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah remains a threat.
Israel has not publicly commented on the events with Iran, observing the development of the situation.
Trump says Iran needs time to mourn
Mr Trump said Iran’s leadership had requested time to oversee the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei, who was killed in an airstrike on the very first day of the war.
His coffin was carried through the streets of the Iraqi city of Najaf, one of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims, as part of a week-long mourning ceremony.
Time for mourning was demanded by Iran, which mourned its late supreme leader at a multi-day funeral this week. (Reuters)
Along with the funeral, Iranian authorities released the first images of Khamanei’s former estate.
The vision showed the level of destruction at the former Tehran compound where the supreme leader and other members of his family were killed on February 28.
His son and successor Mojtaba Khamanei is believed to have been seriously injured in the strike.
He has not been seen publicly since the strike, despite being chosen as the country’s new leader.