US strikes Archives - FutureSoch

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said the United States would carry out additional military strikes against Iran, warning that American forces would intensify operations after accusing Tehran of failing to honor an interim agreement.

In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump said the U.S. would strike Iran “very hard” on Monday night and continue attacks on Tuesday.

He said the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran had been “a test” for Iran, but claimed Tehran had failed to comply. Trump also said the U.S. was preparing to target Pickaxe Mountain (Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La), a heavily fortified site near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex.

Speaking later at the White House, Trump said U.S. forces were rapidly degrading Iran’s military capabilities and targeting assets linked to the Strait of Hormuz. He added that military operations would continue overnight but maintained that reaching a negotiated agreement with Iran remained possible.

Trump also said the United States was helping protect maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and argued that countries benefiting from that protection should help cover the costs.

His remarks came after he earlier proposed charging vessels a 20% transit fee through the strategic waterway before later abandoning the idea in favor of seeking trade and investment agreements with Gulf states.

The president also praised his working relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the two leaders were closely coordinated despite occasional policy differences.

WASHINGTON: The New York Times has reported that classified assessments by US intelligence agencies indicate Iran has preserved much of its missile capability despite recent American strikes.

According to the report, the findings contradict claims by the administration of US President Donald Trump that US attacks had severely degraded Iran’s military strength.

The report states that Iran has regained access to 30 of its 33 missile bases located near the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring threats to US naval vessels and oil tankers transiting the vital shipping route.

Despite damage to some facilities, intelligence sources said Iran retains the ability to move missiles using mobile launchers, while certain bases remain capable of launching missiles directly. Only three missile bases are believed to be fully inoperable.

US intelligence assessments further suggest that Iran still possesses around 70 percent of its pre-war mobile missile launchers and missile stockpiles, including both ballistic and cruise missiles.

Based on satellite imagery and other surveillance data, analysts estimate that Iran has also regained access to nearly 90 percent of its underground missile storage sites and launch facilities, many of which remain partially or fully operational.

The report indicates that US officials may have overestimated the damage inflicted on Iran’s missile infrastructure and underestimated Tehran’s ability to restore and redeploy strategic assets quickly.