Gulf News reported that Iranian officials warned U.S. bases and critical Gulf infrastructure could be targets if neighboring states assist another U.S. or Israeli operation, as President Donald Trump signaled possible further U.S. action.
Trump said at the White House on Thursday that the United States might act “a little bit further.” On Wednesday, he had told reporters that “something one way or the other” would happen “fairly soon.” He gave no target, date or scope for any new operation. Trump said Washington was not negotiating with Tehran and that its aim was to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. EconoTimes previously reported that Trump had left further U.S. military action against Iran open.
Gulf News reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Hossein Mohebi told state media the force would take the initiative if Washington restarted the war. The outlet also attributed a separate warning to the IRGC: continued U.S. naval escorts for shipping through waters Tehran calls mined could lead to attacks on U.S. bases. Gulf News said the IRGC also claimed three vessels had struck mines west of the strait on Thursday.
Tehran Times quoted Maj. Gen. Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as saying Iran had presented seven new conditions through mediators. He said Tehran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and talks suspended until the conditions were implemented. Iran would then decide whether to reopen the strait, Rezaei said, with shipping to resume under arrangements agreed with Oman.
Gulf News reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran remained open to diplomacy if Washington made a sincere effort to rebuild trust. He warned that choosing war would bring “an even greater strategic failure.” The outlet also cited mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan, while Trump said the United States was not negotiating with Iran.
Gulf News said the tensions were raising concerns about vessel passage, energy costs, flight operations and life in Gulf communities, given Hormuz’s importance to global oil shipments. Trump gave no timetable for further action.
