Washington, July 15 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that military operations against Iran would continue until he personally decides to end them, warning that the United States would broaden its campaign to target critical infrastructure if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the United States would intensify its strikes against Iran over the coming days, adding that the next phase of the campaign would include attacks on power stations and bridges unless Iran accepted U.S. terms and returned to negotiations.
“We will hit Iran hard tonight, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” Trump said, adding that the United States was prepared to carry out “very severe strikes” against Iran’s critical infrastructure to pressure Tehran into negotiating a new agreement.
Trump also disclosed that U.S. and Iranian officials held talks on Tuesday, during which Washington urged Tehran to reach an agreement.
“We told the Iranians they have to make a deal, or they will have nothing left,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new wave of strikes on military targets across Iran, including sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas, saying the attacks were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper accused Iran of deliberately targeting commercial shipping during the past week, saying attacks on seven merchant vessels had left more than 10 civilian crew members dead, injured or missing.
In a statement posted on X, Cooper said Iranian forces had also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries, describing the attacks on commercial shipping as deliberate actions that caused civilian casualties.
The latest statements come amid an escalating military confrontation between the United States and Iran, with both sides expanding military operations and heightened concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
N.J/ABD
