Trump Threatens Further Strikes on Iran as Middle East Tensions Escalate

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States will continue military strikes against Iran as Washington presses for the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His remarks came Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland and were followed by renewed attacks and military activity across the region.

U.S. Remarks and White House Response

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, 'we just want to win,' and indicated that U.S. military pressure on Iran could continue for some time. He added the U.S. would strike Iran 'very hard' until Tehran 'can't take it anymore.'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later criticized Tehran, saying the administration believed Iran signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. on a truce last month but then quickly 'broke it, shot at commercial ships, and killed American soldiers.' Leavitt said, 'President Trump is not going to stand by and allow this terrorist behavior to occur. Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way.'

Gulf Incidents: Kuwait and Maritime Attacks

Kuwait's military reported it was responding to a new round of drone attacks tied to Iran. Maj. Gen. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, a spokesman for Kuwait's Defense Ministry, said the drones struck 'a number of vital facilities,' including a government building in the north; he reported no casualties.

The British Navy said a commercial tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz and that a separate explosion occurred near another vessel off Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization reported an unknown projectile hit a ship about 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman, damaging its engine room. On Saturday, a large splash and explosion were observed close to a different tanker roughly 21 nautical miles northwest of Khasab.

Iran has repeatedly asserted control over vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and has attacked ships it says were operating without authorization amid its confrontation with the United States.

Gaza: Strikes After Hamas Announces Disarmament

Intense Israeli strikes late Friday and into Saturday killed at least four people in central and northern Gaza and wounded dozens more, local health officials said. The strikes followed a statement from Hamas confirming it would disarm as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework announced last October.

The deal calls for Hamas to disarm and transfer authority to an independent Palestinian administration, Israeli withdrawal, and deployment of an International Stabilization Force. Israel had not officially commented on Hamas' announcement. Far-right Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir called the proposed deal 'unacceptable' in a post on X and insisted military operations should continue.

Other Regional Developments

Houthi rebels announced a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, forcing eight Saudi vessels to reroute around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, the group's military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces detonated explosives to destroy an underground tunnel network beneath the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle (Al-Shaqif), which Israel says was used by Hezbollah as a command center. The 12th-century fortress was seized by Israeli forces in May and was recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage List despite Israeli objections.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the Israeli operation sent 'negative messages' ahead of renewed talks in Rome, where Israeli and Lebanese delegations are scheduled to continue negotiations over a possible Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament.

Reporting compiled from Associated Press coverage.