Washington: US President Donald Trump declared that air strikes on Iran will persist until he decides otherwise, as both Tehran and Washington escalate military actions in a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz. The United Nations has described the situation as a "huge setback" for civilians in the region.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Trump conveyed during a Fox News interview on July 14 that US negotiators had engaged in discussions with Tehran, urging Iranian officials to agree to a deal to end the conflict. When questioned about the duration of US strikes, Trump asserted, "They'll continue until I say it's enough," further cautioning that the range of US military targets would expand if Tehran fails to negotiate.
Trump highlighted the potential escalation, stating, "Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges." He added, "We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate." Meanwhile, Iran launched missile attacks on Gulf neighbors, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as explosions continued to rock cities across southern Iran during the fourth consecutive day of strikes.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's attacks on several Arab countries, holding Tehran "responsible for the consequences of continuing these cruel attacks." The memorandum of understanding reached last month, intended to allow a 60-day negotiation period for a broad peace deal, has unraveled, with fighting concentrated around the crucial global transit route of the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Trump proposed replacing a threatened 20% fee on cargo shipped through the Strait under US military guardianship with trade and investment agreements with Persian Gulf states, while maintaining a blockade on Iranian shipping. He announced on Truth Social that "highly productive conversations" with Middle East leadership led to this decision and emphasized that the investments would be "MASSIVE."
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade against maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports from 4 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14. CENTCOM affirmed that forces would enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports, while supporting regional traffic flow for all compliant vessels.
The unfolding conflict signifies the deterioration of an accord aimed at negotiating peace. Over the weekend, Trump notified Congress of renewed hostilities with Iran, triggering a 60-day window for ordering military strikes without congressional approval. Additionally, the US Treasury announced measures to intensify pressure on Iran's sanctions-evasion networks, especially targeting Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, a key player in Iran's oil exports and global trade.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted that the sanctions aim to dismantle the financial infrastructure enabling Iran's regime to continue posing threats to US national security and global shipping. The action targets over 50 individuals, entities, and vessels facilitating Shamkhani's operations and the Iranian regime's profiteering.
The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, expressed concern over the return of hostilities, warning of "grave risks" for civilians. Turk emphasized that the renewed conflict undermines peace efforts and exacerbates instability, posing significant human rights risks across the region.
With Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) advocating for an end to US military intervention to restore regular shipping traffic through the Strait, the conflict has intensified. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge for the killing of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, in US and Israel air strikes, further heightening tensions.
In a stark warning, Trump stated that any assassination attempt against him would provoke overwhelming US military retaliation, underscoring the heightened risks amid the ongoing war of words between the two nations.