Donald Trump slams ‘lunatics’ in Iran as Middle East ceasefire on the brink | World | News

Iran’s leadership has been branded “crazy” by Donald Trump after three US destroyers were targeted by missiles, drones and small boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said the “unprovoked” attacks were successfully foiled and no warships were hit. In response, there were attacks on “responsible Iranian military facilities,” including launch sites and command and control centers.

US headquarters said it did not want to escalate tensions but “remains ready and positioned to protect American forces.” After the meeting, Trump warned Tehran that the US would “take them down much harder and much more violently” if they did not sign a deal to end the conflict “quickly.” Iranian state media reported that the country’s armed forces exchanged fire with the “enemy” on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, and that explosions occurred in other places.

The latest conflict underscores how the waterway has become a flashpoint for an unstable ceasefire in two months of conflict.

Writing on the Truth Social platform, the US president said: “Three world-class American Destroyers passed very successfully under fire through the Strait of Hormuz.

“No damage was inflicted on the three Destroyers, but major damage was inflicted on the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed, along with numerous smaller boats used to replace the decapitated Navy.”

He added: “A normal Country would allow the passage of these Destroyers, but Iran is not a normal Country.

“They are run by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would undoubtedly do so – But they will never have that opportunity, and just as we have knocked them out again today, we will knock them out much harder and more violently in the future, if they do not sign their Treaty FAST!”

This came after the US proposed an interim plan aimed at ending the war, although it appeared to have left the most contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved. Tehran said it was reviewing the proposals.

Mr. Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was holding despite the violence.

“They made fun of us today. We blew them up,” he said, before telling reporters: “They need to understand; if (an agreement) is not signed, they will suffer a lot.”

Asked how close the United States was to a deal with Iran, Mr. Trump said: “It could happen at any time,” adding: “And it might not happen.”

Pakistan, which is mediating in the conflict, has said it expects an agreement soon.

The country’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said Islamabad was “in constant contact with Iran and the United States day and night to stop the war and extend the ceasefire.”

Meanwhile, the United States and its Gulf allies are seeking support from the United Nations for a resolution condemning Iran’s pressure in the strait with the threat of sanctions. However, it is in danger of being vetoed by Russia and China.

The sea route, a key supply line for oil and gas, was open before the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran in late February.

In retaliation, Tehran effectively shut down the shipping lane, sparking a global energy crisis that caused prices to skyrocket.

This led to the US imposing its own blockade of Iranian ports, which led to a standoff.

The president this week said he was briefly pausing a separate naval mission to reopen the strait to ships because of the “great progress” made in peace talks.

However, it was later reported that Saudi Arabia opposed the operation and did not allow US aircraft to use its bases and airspace.

Concerns about future freedom of navigation through the canal were further raised after Iran established an agency to certify and tax ships seeking to use the canal, according to a UK-based maritime data firm.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence said the Persian Gulf Strait Authority “has positioned itself as the sole valid authority for granting permission to ships passing through the strait.” The company said the agency emailed it an application form for ships seeking passage.

Given current diplomatic moves, creating this body could be a way to increase pressure and send a signal to Washington during negotiations.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense said the country’s air defenses were “actively engaged” in missile and drone strikes early Friday.

The statement made about