US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch new attacks on Iran, accusing Tehran’s negotiators of delaying peace talks and failing to reach an agreement.
Trump Threatens Military Action
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran had repeatedly stalled negotiations and would now face consequences. “We’re going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard,” Trump said. “We were really close to a deal, but they keep tapping us along, they keep playing us for suckers.”
Earlier, Trump declared that Iran had taken too long to negotiate a settlement and would now “have to pay the price.” In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed the Iranian military had been “completely defeated.” “The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!! They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!” he wrote.
Trump also told journalist Trey Yingst that he was considering additional military action targeting Iran’s infrastructure. “I may keep going. They had a chance to sign a deal and survive,” Trump said.
Shift in Tone
His comments marked a sharp contrast to remarks made a day earlier, when he suggested negotiations to end the conflict were nearing completion and could be finalized within a few days. In another social media post, Trump praised the US naval blockade of Iranian shipping, describing it as “the most successful” in history and calling it a “steel wall.” He claimed the blockade had severely disrupted Iran’s economy and reduced its ability to fund military operations while allowing other nations to continue exporting oil.
Escalating Military Tensions
The latest developments come amid escalating military tensions across the Middle East. The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian targets, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks against targets in the region. Iran reportedly launched missiles toward Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait following the downing of a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iranian forces used long-range missiles to strike multiple targets, including what it described as military facilities and command centers.
Regional Responses
Jordanian authorities confirmed that their air defense systems intercepted and destroyed five incoming missiles near the town of Azraq. “We intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran towards Azraq. The interception resulted in debris falling, but there were no casualties or material damage,” the Jordanian Armed Forces said. The area is strategically significant because it hosts the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which has previously been used by Jordan, the United States, and NATO allies during military operations in the region.
Kuwait also reported that its air defense systems engaged what it described as “hostile aerial targets,” while Bahrain said it had successfully intercepted several missiles. The Bahrain Defence Force accused Iran of carrying out unlawful missile and drone attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure.
