Donald Trump has vowed to attack Iran 'very hard' tonight and seize Kharg Island, the backbone of Iran's oil industry. The US and Iran have been striking each other again for the past two days, with fears the escalation could push the Middle East back into a full-scale war.
Trump's Threats on Truth Social
Trump, who has previously bragged about being the 'president of peace', has promised a deal with Iran more than 40 times since the conflict began – but this has yet to materialise. Stalled negotiations have led to new strikes on Iran by the US, with Trump saying the country would 'pay the price' for the lack of progress in reaching a peace agreement.
'The United States will be hitting Iran (whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defence, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America.'
Stalled Negotiations and Mediation Efforts
Mediators, led predominantly by Pakistan, have been trying for weeks to get a deal over the line, but both Iran and the US have stalled negotiations by taking hard-line positions. The countries have differing and often conflicting demands. The US wants to see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which it is thought to still have following American air strikes in a 12-day war in 2025. But Iran is refusing and has instead demanded relief from sanctions. It is also calling for the release of frozen assets even before a final agreement is in place, something Trump has rejected.
Escalation and Regional Impact
Earlier this week, the Islamic Republic shot down a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then launched attacks in Bahrain and Kuwait, both of which fired air defences in response. Since the US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Officials have been unable to turn the April ceasefire into a deal to permanently end the conflict, particularly as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah.
