President Trump on Thursday signaled that he is prepared to authorize additional military strikes against Iran, escalating tensions after the United States and Iran exchanged attacks for a second consecutive day.
In a Truth Social post Thursday morning, Trump vowed that the United States would be “hitting Iran … VERY HARD TONIGHT,” while also renewing his long-standing threat to seize Kharg Island, the strategic hub that handles roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Speaking later on Fox News’s Fox & Friends, Trump reiterated his preference for targeting the island, saying, “Look, my preference has always been: Take Kharg Island,” before adding that he was uncertain whether “America has the stomach for that.”
The latest escalation follows the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week by Iranian forces. The two American service members aboard were rescued and reported to be in stable condition.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces carried out what officials described as “self-defense strikes” Wednesday against Iranian military surveillance systems, communications networks and air defense sites.
“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on social media. “U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal and ready.”
Trump told Fox News that the military dropped approximately “$250 million worth of bombs” on Iranian targets overnight and suggested a larger operation could follow.
“They’re really in submission. They just don’t know it yet,” Trump said of Iran’s leadership.
While discussing potential future targets, Trump indicated he remains reluctant to strike critical civilian infrastructure.
“I’d rather not do it because once you do that, the people suffer,” Trump said. Referring to water infrastructure, he added, “Water is really a devastating loss for them. I could do that in one minute, but the problem is the people won’t be able to drink water.”
CENTCOM separately announced Thursday that U.S. forces disabled the oil tanker M/T Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday evening, alleging the vessel was transporting Iranian oil in violation of a U.S. naval blockade imposed in April. Military officials said it was the third commercial vessel disabled this week and the 13th since the blockade began.
“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas,” CENTCOM said.
The military confrontation continued overnight, with Trump stating that U.S. forces launched 49 Tomahawk missiles against targets inside Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi condemned the attacks, writing on X that the strikes represented “a widespread and utter nullification of the ceasefire.”
The conflict is also intensifying political battles in Washington. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are expected to continue debating U.S. involvement in Iran, with Democrats and a small group of Republican lawmakers seeking enough support to advance a war powers resolution aimed at ending the military operation. The House is also scheduled to vote on a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act amid broader disputes over intelligence leadership following Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Beyond the Iran crisis, Trump is scheduled to receive an intelligence briefing Thursday before participating in a tele-rally supporting Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in his campaign to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp. The Supreme Court is also expected to release opinions in several remaining major cases later in the day, adding to a consequential day in Washington.
