Just hours after declaring the ceasefire ended due to Iranian attacks on US military installations, President Donald Trump warned Iran on Wednesday that the US was getting ready for another night of strikes. Trump reiterated his earlier threats to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure, such as desalination and electricity plants, and to take control of Kharg Island, which houses the majority of the Islamic Republic’s oil facilities. When questioned about a potential resumption of hostilities, Trump responded, “We hit them very hard last night. We’ll probably hit them hard again tonight.” On the fringes of a NATO conference in Ankara, Turkey, Trump made the comments. The strikes, he claimed, are ongoing reprisals for Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.He accused Iran of firing missiles and drones at ships, saying, “They are behaving very badly.” Iranian forces replied by hitting US military installations in the Gulf after the United States initiated operations against Iran on Tuesday after three tankers were struck.
Trump stoked fears that the conflict in Iran would resurface after the most recent gunfight by declaring that the temporary cease-fire deal was “over, even if he stressed that he would permit talks to go on.When asked if the truce was still in effect on Wednesday at a NATO conference in Turkey, Trump responded, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.””It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” he said. “I don’t see it, but I’ll let our amazing negotiators continue if they so choose. These people don’t appeal to me. After Trump’s comments, oil prices, which had already hit their highest point in two weeks, quickly surged five percent.
The precarious ceasefire has been frequently threatened by attacks, but Trump’s remarks created additional uncertainty and caused oil prices to spike. Energy exports through the strait, which are vital to the world economy, will likely be halted again in the event of a new conflict that spreads throughout the Middle East.When asked how the truce was going, Trump responded, “For me, I think it’s over.” He went on to say that US delegates may carry on talks, but he questioned the results. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he replied. At several occasions during the conflict, including last month, when he questioned whether the US “has the stomach for it,” Trump has threatened to take control of Kharg Island.
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