Trump threatens to hit Iran ‘hard again tonight’ as ceasefire unravels
Former US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch fresh military strikes against Iran, declaring that he is prepared to hit the country “hard again tonight” just hours after saying the US-Iran ceasefire was effectively over.
Speaking during the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump delivered some of his strongest remarks yet against Iran’s leadership, saying: “I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum. They’re sick people, they’re led by sick people.”
Despite his harsh rhetoric, Trump said negotiators from both sides could continue discussions but added that he believed “they’re wasting their time.”
Tensions escalate after fresh attacks
Trump’s comments come amid rapidly escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran following a series of military exchanges.
Late on Tuesday, the United States announced that it had carried out strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets, including military infrastructure and assets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The US military action followed attacks on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route for oil and gas supplies.
Iran warns of wider regional conflict
Iran has strongly condemned Trump’s remarks, with an Iranian official warning that such statements are pushing “the region toward fire.”
The official also cautioned that Iran’s regional allies and proxy groups have their “finger on the triggers”, raising fears that the conflict could spread beyond Iran and the United States.
In response to the US strikes, Iran said it had targeted American military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, further increasing tensions across the Middle East.
Questions over the future of diplomacy
Although diplomatic channels remain technically open, Trump’s latest comments suggest that hopes of preserving the ceasefire are rapidly fading.
Political observers say there appears to have been a noticeable shift in Trump’s stance toward Iran, with the former president increasingly favouring a tougher approach instead of negotiations.
The deteriorating situation has sparked concerns among world leaders attending the Nato summit, with fears that further military action could destabilise the broader Middle East and threaten global energy markets.
As both sides continue exchanging threats and military strikes, the possibility of a wider regional conflict remains a growing concern for the international community.
