Trump announces more US strikes on Iran

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.