President Donald Trump threatened devastating action against Iran on Monday as tensions between Washington and Tehran soared over the Strait of Hormuz.
If the Iranians try to target U.S. ships in this area, “they’ll be blown off the face of the earth,” Trump told Fox News’s Trey Yingst.
The president also claimed that the Iranians are more amenable to peace deal negotiations, but no announcement has been made regarding the U.S. delegation meeting with officials from Tehran in Pakistan, where past negotiations have taken place.
On Sunday, Trump announced Project Freedom on Truth Social, claiming that the U.S. forces would escort oil tankers and other vessels through the Strait of Hormuz with 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire, Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at ships the United States is escorting through the Strait of Hormuz, the American military announced on Monday. The United Arab Emirates also claimed Tehran had launched missiles and drone attacks, suggesting a multi-nation attack from Iran.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper announced on Monday that U.S. forces in the Middle East sank six Iranian small boats that were “threatening commercial shipping.”
Both actions cast doubt on whether the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is still in effect. The Iran war has surpassed the four- to six-week timeline that Trump initially said was needed for the conflict. It is unclear when peace talks will resume.
In addition to the comments to Fox News, the president posted on Truth Social, calling for nations with ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to get involved in the conflict against Iran.
US SINKS SIX IRANIAN SMALL BOATS AS CONFLICT HEATS UP
“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship,” he wrote. “Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, “fast” Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine will host a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump also said.
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