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U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States remains in direct contact with Iranian officials but warned that military operations against Iran will continue until Tehran agrees to a new deal, signaling no immediate end to the escalating conflict.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said members of his administration had spoken with Iranian officials as recently as an hour before the interview. According to Trump, Tehran expressed interest in negotiations, but he insisted that U.S. military pressure would continue until an agreement is reached.
Trump warned that Iran “better make a deal,” adding that U.S. strikes would persist until he determines they are no longer necessary. He also suggested that additional military action could target Iran’s nuclear facilities, including Pickaxe Mountain.
Discussing Iran’s energy infrastructure, Trump said attacks on the country’s oil facilities, including Kharg Island, would be delayed but remain part of the broader military strategy if required.
The remarks came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had launched strikes against Iran for a fourth straight day. According to CENTCOM, the operations are aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
The U.S. also reinstated a naval blockade targeting Iran after Trump declared earlier that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to all vessels except those linked to Iran. The decision followed his withdrawal of a proposed 20% toll on ships using the waterway after discussions with Middle Eastern leaders.
Iran has responded with retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases across the Middle East and rejected Washington’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz is open. Tehran has continued operations against commercial vessels in and around the strategic waterway, maintaining that ships should only use routes designated by Iranian authorities.
The latest escalation follows Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping, prompting renewed U.S. military action and further eroding a June memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, raising concerns over regional stability and global energy supplies.
