President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, stating his intention to escalate military strikes if they do not engage in negotiations. Trump’s remarks came during an exclusive interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight,” Trump declared. “We’re going to hit them hard tomorrow night. We’re gonna hit them very hard the night after.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted successive military operations near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump emphasized that these actions would persist until he feels they have sufficiently pressured Iran.
TRUMP SAYS US WILL STRIKE IRAN ‘VERY HARD’ AGAIN TODAY
According to CENTCOM, recent attacks have targeted strategic sites such as submarine and ship maintenance facilities in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Trump warned that even more critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, would be targeted in the following weeks unless Iran agrees to negotiate.
While previously considering imposing a 20% toll on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump revealed he had abandoned the plan in favor of significant investment and trade deals with Middle Eastern nations and the U.S.
“I was going to charge a fee, but instead they’d rather spend a lot of money in the United States,” he explained during the interview aired on “Special Report.”
The U.S. has reinstated its naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump noting that Iran’s military capabilities have been degraded despite some retained ability to fight.
“They want to make a deal. But every time they make a deal, they break it,” Trump said, cautioning that Iran could face severe consequences.
According to Trump, military objectives, including keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, have been achieved, although traffic through the waterway was down 90% from normal levels.
Discussing new activity at a nuclear facility outside Tehran, Trump was dismissive, asserting that it could be easily targeted.
“We can hit that one very easily. It only takes a matter of minutes for us to do it and do major damage,” Trump stated.
Trump drew a comparison between Iran and a boxer, admitting that while Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly reduced, the nation still retains some ability to fight.
“They’ve been degraded to a very low level,” he said. “And they have fight. You know? It’s like a great boxer. You think you have him beat, and then all of a sudden he comes back and gives you a shot.”
Nora Moriarty is a writer at Fox News Digital.