Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that air strikes on Iran will persist until he decides to halt them, as tensions between Tehran and Washington intensify over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The United Nations has described the situation as a significant setback for civilians in the region.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, during an interview with Fox News on July 14, Trump disclosed that US negotiators engaged in discussions with Tehran and reiterated his call for Iranian officials to reach an agreement to conclude the conflict. When questioned about the duration of US strikes, Trump responded, "They'll continue until I say it's enough," and indicated that the range of US military targets could expand if Iran fails to negotiate.
"Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges," Trump declared, threatening to disable Iran's power and transportation infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran retaliated by launching missiles at neighboring Gulf countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's attacks on Arab nations, attributing responsibility to Tehran for the consequences of these attacks. The fighting has concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy and commerce route, as a previously agreed-upon memorandum to negotiate peace collapses.
Trump had earlier proposed a 20 percent fee on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz under US military protection but later suggested replacing it with trade and investment agreements with Persian Gulf states, while maintaining a blockade on Iranian shipping. He mentioned on Truth Social that discussions with Middle Eastern leaders had been productive, although he did not provide specifics on Gulf governments' commitments.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade against Iranian maritime traffic from July 14. CENTCOM emphasized that the blockade would be enforced on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, while ensuring the free flow of other maritime traffic in the region.
The ongoing strikes highlight the breakdown of last month's accord, which outlined conditions for peace negotiations between the US and Iran. Over the weekend, Trump informed Congress of renewed hostilities with Iran, initiating a 60-day window for military action without requiring Congressional approval.
On July 14, the US Treasury implemented measures to disrupt Iran's sanction-evasion network, specifically targeting Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the Shamkhani network as a significant force behind Iran's oil exports and global trade operations.
The Treasury's actions aim to dismantle Iran's financial infrastructure and increase economic pressure on the regime. In total, more than 50 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Shamkhani and the Iranian regime face sanctions.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern over the escalation, warning of "grave risks" to civilians. He emphasized that renewed hostilities between the US and Iran could undermine peace efforts and destabilize the region further.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) stated that only the cessation of US military presence in the Strait of Hormuz could restore normal shipping traffic. The conflict has become a pivotal battleground, with Iran leveraging control over maritime traffic to exert influence over its Gulf neighbors and the global economy.
The political landscape remains volatile, as Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed retribution for the death of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, following US and Israeli air strikes. Mojtaba Khamenei asserted that retaliation "must inevitably be carried out," while Trump warned that any assassination attempt on him would provoke decisive US military retaliation.