Iran will no longer exist if violations continue: Trump amid tit-for-tat strikes
Trump, in a social media post, said United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist" if Washington is forced to "militarily complete the job" it started earlier this year, after the United States carried out a second consecutive day of strikes against Iranian targets and accused Tehran of breaching a ceasefire agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said US aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites, accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
"United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!" Trump wrote. "There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist," the US President said in a post.
The remarks came after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced fresh strikes on multiple targets in Iran. The military said the operation was carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief after Iran allegedly launched a one-way attack drone that struck the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when it was hit. The US military said Saturday's operation targeted Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.
The latest strikes followed US military action on Friday against Iranian missile and drone facilities and coastal radar installations. Washington said those attacks were retaliation for an alleged Iranian drone strike on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first direct US military response since the two countries reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further escalation.
Hours before Friday's operation, Trump hinted that a response was imminent. Asked by reporters whether the United States would retaliate, he replied: "You'll find out."
US Vice President JD Vance also defended the military action and warned Tehran against further attacks.
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance said in a post on X.
The renewed confrontation has raised concerns about security in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy shipping routes. The strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil exports and has long been a flashpoint between Iran and the United States.
The exchange of threats and military action marks the most serious test yet of the fragile understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, with both sides accusing the other of undermining efforts to maintain stability in the region.
US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist" if Washington is forced to "militarily complete the job" it started earlier this year, after the United States carried out a second consecutive day of strikes against Iranian targets and accused Tehran of breaching a ceasefire agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said US aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites, accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
"United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!" Trump wrote. "There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist," the US President said in a post.
The remarks came after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced fresh strikes on multiple targets in Iran. The military said the operation was carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief after Iran allegedly launched a one-way attack drone that struck the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when it was hit. The US military said Saturday's operation targeted Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.
The latest strikes followed US military action on Friday against Iranian missile and drone facilities and coastal radar installations. Washington said those attacks were retaliation for an alleged Iranian drone strike on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first direct US military response since the two countries reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further escalation.
Hours before Friday's operation, Trump hinted that a response was imminent. Asked by reporters whether the United States would retaliate, he replied: "You'll find out."
US Vice President JD Vance also defended the military action and warned Tehran against further attacks.
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance said in a post on X.
The renewed confrontation has raised concerns about security in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy shipping routes. The strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil exports and has long been a flashpoint between Iran and the United States.
The exchange of threats and military action marks the most serious test yet of the fragile understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, with both sides accusing the other of undermining efforts to maintain stability in the region.
