WASHINGTON (Realist English). US President Donald Trump has once again stated his intention to deliver “very powerful” strikes on Iranian territory in the near future.
The threats came amid an exchange of strikes between the two countries that has jeopardized the fragile April ceasefire.
Trump accused Tehran of stalling negotiations and demanded the immediate signing of a ready‑to‑sign peace agreement, threatening military escalation otherwise.
“We Are Going to Attack Them Very Hard”: Trump’s Ultimatum
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on the morning of June 10, Donald Trump said the United States intends to continue its military campaign against Iran.
“We hit them hard yesterday and we are going to hit them hard again today. We are going to attack them, attack them very hard,” Reuters quoted the US president as saying.
According to Trump, military action will resume if Iran continues to delay signing a peace agreement that the American side claims is practically ready.
“We were really close to a deal, but they keep cheating us. They think we are fools,” the US president said.
Earlier, on June 9, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “They have been dragging their feet too long on a deal that could have been great for them, and now they will have to pay for it!!!”
Exchange of Strikes and New Targets
Trump’s threats came in response to a series of mutual attacks that took place on the night of June 10. The trigger was the crash of a US AH-64 Apache attack helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) struck Iranian targets, including air defense batteries, ground control points and radar stations on Qeshm Island and in the port city of Bandar Abbas.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed attacks on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Air defense systems in Kuwait and Bahrain were put on alert. Iran’s Tasnim news agency confirmed that, on IRGC orders, “enemy bases” were attacked in response to US aggression.
Trump also hinted at the possibility of expanding the military campaign, saying he could order strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges. He later clarified that US forces are already “taking millions of barrels of oil every night,” which he said is why prices remain at $85–90 per barrel.
Attempts to Preserve Diplomacy
Iran, for its part, confirmed its intention to deliver a harsh response to any aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that Iran’s armed forces “will not leave any attack or threat unanswered” and called on the US to leave the region.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the US of “damaging the diplomatic process with its contradictory statements, constant shifts in positions and demands, and worst of all, persistent violations of the ceasefire.”
At the same time, Trump said the negotiation process continues. According to him, Pakistan and Qatar continue to act as mediators. Pakistan, in particular, is trying to secure a more constructive line from Tehran, and a deal could be reached within the next two weeks. The US president also stressed that demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program remain unchanged.
“Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, they have agreed to that. All they have to do is sign the paper,” Trump said.
Oil and Markets
Trump’s statements and the escalation of the conflict immediately impacted global energy and financial markets. US crude (WTI) rose more than 3.5%, exceeding $91 per barrel, while the international benchmark Brent rose nearly 3% to $94. US stock indexes, by contrast, fell: the S&P 500 dropped 1% and the Nasdaq 1.4%. Commenting on the situation, Trump said that after the military operation ends, oil prices will return to pre‑war levels.
At the same time, the US struck the tanker Settebello (Palau‑flagged) in the Gulf of Oman, which was attempting to smuggle Iranian oil out despite the blockade. Three Indian sailors are missing as a result of the attack; 21 crew members were rescued. India summoned a senior US diplomat for an explanation.
Trump’s ultimatum and the new round of military escalation have put the US‑Iran ceasefire on the brink of collapse. Despite American assurances that a deal is imminent, disagreements over key issues – from frozen assets to the nuclear program – remain unresolved. Iran insists on an inseparable link between any settlement and the situation in Lebanon, while Washington continues to harden its rhetoric. The latest exchange of strikes and threats makes the prospect of a swift peace increasingly illusory.
