Ankara, Turkey — US President Donald Trump delivered a blunt ultimatum to Iran on Wednesday, warning of imminent new strikes and declaring a recent interim ceasefire agreement “over.”
Speaking at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the United States had already conducted heavy strikes on Iranian targets the previous night and signaled more action was coming.
> “We hit them very hard last night. Very, very hard. We’ll probably hit them hard again tonight. I’ll give them a little warning. We’re going to hit them hard tonight,” Trump said.
The US President accused Iran of “behaving very badly,” including launching drones and missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He described Iranian leadership as “cuckoo” and said the country had acted as the “bully of the Middle East” for 47 years.
“Our goal is very simple — they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump stressed.
Escalation in the Gulf
The latest remarks follow US strikes on key Iranian locations, including the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, and Qeshm Island. Washington also revoked a licence allowing the sale of Iranian oil.
Trump mentioned the possibility of further targeting Iranian vessels and even taking control of Kharg Island, though he added he did not want to escalate to striking electricity or water infrastructure. He clarified that the US naval blockade targets only Iran.
Earlier in the day, Trump had announced that the interim memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict was finished, calling continued talks potentially “a waste of time,” while still leaving the door open for diplomacy.
Iranian Counterstrikes
Iran responded to the US attacks with strikes on targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, heightening fears of a broader regional war.
Tensions have surged rapidly in recent days, with both sides trading blows in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The situation remains highly volatile as the international community watches closely for signs of de-escalation or further military confrontation.