Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning
Why it matters: The conflict has seen the U.S. military strike over 12,300 targets and destroy 155 vessels since February 28.
- President Trump stated the U.S. is "on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly" in the war against Iran, now in its sixth week, and warned of hitting Iran "extremely hard over the next two to three weeks."
- Iran continued to target countries in the Gulf region with ballistic missiles and drones, prompting a security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad regarding Iran-backed militias.
- Trump threatened to target Iran's energy plants and oil if an agreement isn't reached, despite describing Iran's new leaders as "less radical and much more reasonable" in ongoing discussions.
- Esmail Baghai, spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, rejected the "vicious cycle of war, negotiations and ceasefire," calling the conflict "disastrous" and an "illegal war" that Iran is defending against.
- U.S. Central Command reported striking over 12,300 targets and destroying or damaging over 155 vessels since the war began on February 28, including command centers, air defense systems, and weapon production facilities.
- Trump urged allies to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping passage affecting global oil supply and prices, stating the U.S. does not use it.
Despite President Trump's declaration that the U.S. is "on the cusp of ending Iran's sinister threat" and his warning of intensified strikes to bring Iran "back to the Stone Ages," Iran continues its ballistic missile and drone attacks across the Persian Gulf. While Trump described ongoing discussions with Iran's new leaders as "less radical," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghai, condemned the "vicious cycle of war, negotiations and ceasefire," asserting Iran is defending against an "illegal war."
