I may keep going: Trump threatens fresh attacks on Iran's power plants, bridges
Donald Trump says he may order new strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges, claims Tehran missed a chance to secure a deal.
Hours after tit-for-tat strikes on Iran, US President Donald Trump said he is considering new attacks on Iranian power plants and bridges.
Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Wednesday, Trump said he was "getting close to ordering new strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges" and indicated the US could intensify its military campaign if diplomatic efforts continue to stall.
"I may keep going," Trump said. "They had a chance to sign a deal and survive."
His remarks came hours after Iran launched missiles and drones towards US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz. It shattered weeks of relative calm and became one of the most serious confrontations between the US and Iran since the ceasefire took effect in April.
TRUMP THREATENS FURTHER ACTION ON IRAN
Against that backdrop, Trump also issued a warning to Tehran in a post on Truth Social.
"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.
"Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!!" Trump added.
The escalation began after a US Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, the aircraft was brought down by an Iranian drone while on patrol. Both crew members were rescued unharmed. Washington responded with what it described as "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian military assets.
Trump also provided an update on the pilots: "These two pilots were able to take (the Apache) down into the sea, where ultimately, they were rescued, for the first time in US military history, by an unmanned sea drone."
IRAN STRIKES US-LINKED TARGETS IN GULF
The US military said nearly 20 Iranian targets were hit during a four-hour operation that focused on air defence systems, surveillance radars and command facilities. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks struck locations on Qeshm Island and near the strategic port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Hours later, Iran retaliated.
The IRGC announced missile and drone attacks on US-linked military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, calling the operation a response to American aggression. Air defence systems across the region were activated as missiles crossed Gulf airspace. Jordan said it intercepted several missiles headed towards the al-Azraq military base, while Bahrain and Kuwait also reported intercepting incoming aerial threats.
PEACE TALKS UNDER FRESH PRESSURE
The latest exchange has cast new doubt over efforts to reach a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran. Only days ago, Trump had said negotiations were in their "final throes" and indicated a breakthrough could arrive within "two to three days."
But Wednesday's developments painted a very different picture.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said it would reassess engagement with the US following repeated ceasefire violations.
"Any diplomatic process requires a minimum stable environment," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.
Despite the growing tensions, diplomatic channels are open. According to reports, Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran after consultations with US officials in an attempt to salvage negotiations.
Hours after tit-for-tat strikes on Iran, US President Donald Trump said he is considering new attacks on Iranian power plants and bridges.
Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Wednesday, Trump said he was "getting close to ordering new strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges" and indicated the US could intensify its military campaign if diplomatic efforts continue to stall.
"I may keep going," Trump said. "They had a chance to sign a deal and survive."
His remarks came hours after Iran launched missiles and drones towards US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz. It shattered weeks of relative calm and became one of the most serious confrontations between the US and Iran since the ceasefire took effect in April.
TRUMP THREATENS FURTHER ACTION ON IRAN
Against that backdrop, Trump also issued a warning to Tehran in a post on Truth Social.
"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.
"Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!!" Trump added.
The escalation began after a US Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, the aircraft was brought down by an Iranian drone while on patrol. Both crew members were rescued unharmed. Washington responded with what it described as "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian military assets.
Trump also provided an update on the pilots: "These two pilots were able to take (the Apache) down into the sea, where ultimately, they were rescued, for the first time in US military history, by an unmanned sea drone."
IRAN STRIKES US-LINKED TARGETS IN GULF
The US military said nearly 20 Iranian targets were hit during a four-hour operation that focused on air defence systems, surveillance radars and command facilities. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks struck locations on Qeshm Island and near the strategic port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Hours later, Iran retaliated.
The IRGC announced missile and drone attacks on US-linked military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, calling the operation a response to American aggression. Air defence systems across the region were activated as missiles crossed Gulf airspace. Jordan said it intercepted several missiles headed towards the al-Azraq military base, while Bahrain and Kuwait also reported intercepting incoming aerial threats.
PEACE TALKS UNDER FRESH PRESSURE
The latest exchange has cast new doubt over efforts to reach a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran. Only days ago, Trump had said negotiations were in their "final throes" and indicated a breakthrough could arrive within "two to three days."
But Wednesday's developments painted a very different picture.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said it would reassess engagement with the US following repeated ceasefire violations.
"Any diplomatic process requires a minimum stable environment," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.
Despite the growing tensions, diplomatic channels are open. According to reports, Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran after consultations with US officials in an attempt to salvage negotiations.
