Trump threatens fresh strikes on Iran, declares ceasefire over By Kemi Aina
Trump threatens fresh strikes on Iran, declares ceasefire over
By Kemi Aina
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened fresh military strikes against Iran, saying he could order another attack, very probably, this night, while also warning that he may reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said he believed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran was effectively over following overnight exchanges of strikes.
However, he added that diplomatic talks between the two countries could still continue.
The US president also hinted at further military action against Iran’s critical infrastructure if tensions escalate.
“It may be a big attack, and it’ll knock out a lot of stuff,” Trump said during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Referring to Iran’s electricity infrastructure, Trump said: “We’ll take them out. I don’t want to do that, but if we have to, we’ll take them out.”
The latest threats drew swift reactions from Iranian officials.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, responded on X, saying: “Come, we are waiting for you, and we promise that not a single American soldier will return alive.”
Former Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Akbar Velayati also condemned what he described as the latest escalation, warning that Iran had previously made it clear that “the region is no place for the political gambling of small nations” and declaring that the country “stands with its finger on the trigger to cleanse the region.”
Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed US support for Ukraine during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he would discuss plans to help Ukraine develop the capability to produce its own Patriot missile defence systems.
He also disclosed that he would speak later on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope that both Putin and Zelensky would eventually meet for peace talks.
Earlier in the day, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone toward NATO after meeting alliance leaders, describing the gathering as “a great meeting.”
NATO Secretary-General praised increased defence spending by European allies and Canada, a longstanding demand by the US president.
