Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, confirming that the United States is prepared to launch “bigger and better” military strikes if Tehran fails to sign a “real agreement” to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking on Wednesday, the President indicated that large-scale aerial bombardments could follow a deadlock between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote on social media: “All US Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with.”
Trump continued, he said it is “highly unlikely” that negotiations would fail but added: “The ‘Shootin’ Starts’ will be bigger, better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before” should Iran refuse.
The warning came as Iranian forces targeted Kuwait early Wednesday morning, further raising concerns over a wider regional escalation.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran appear to be intensifying over the terms of the ceasefire. Iran has criticised Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, describing them as a “grave violation” of the agreement. Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, told the BBC that Tehran had informed the White House of its concerns, arguing that the United States cannot demand a ceasefire while allowing Israeli attacks to continue.
“You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” Khatibzadeh said. “You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions that specify areas where the ceasefire applies, naming Lebanon specifically, while your ally [Israel] initiates a massacre.”
He stressed that Iran would only guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz “after the United States withdraws its aggression.”
The situation has drawn concern from the UK. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described herself as “deeply troubled” by the ongoing strikes on Lebanon and called for the ceasefire to be extended to cover the country.
Speaking on Times Radio, she said: “One of the things I feel very strongly about is that we want to see Lebanon included in the ceasefire. We want it extended to cover Lebanon, because otherwise, that will destabilise the whole region, and it’s simply the right thing to do.”
With both Washington and Tehran questioning the terms of the agreement, analysts warn that the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East could be at risk, raising the prospect of further conflict in a region already on edge.
