Trump warns Iran US is preparing for more strikes
President Donald Trump said the United States could attack Iran again after suggesting the initial ceasefire agreement with the Islamic Republic was “over” but did not make clear whether the United States would return to all-out war with Iran.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump criticized Iranian officials for what he called their failure to abide by the agreements they negotiated and warned that the United States would likely launch additional strikes on Wednesday night, following attacks by US forces the previous day.
“I’ll give a little warning: We’re going to hit them hard tonight, but we’ll see how it all plays out,” Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Türkiye ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In his previous statements to journalists in Ankara, Trump said that the memorandum of understanding, which served as the first ceasefire agreement between the USA and Iran, had ended.
When asked about the status of the ceasefire, Trump said, “It’s over for me.”
He added that US representatives could continue negotiations but had doubts about the outcome.
“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
His comments caused oil prices to rise.
But he did not publicly say whether the United States would return to full-fledged war or whether further negotiations would be held to turn the initial ceasefire agreement into a permanent agreement.
He reiterated his war aim that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon, but suggested the goal might have to be achieved without a deal.
“They will never build nuclear weapons under our agreement, but I don’t know if we can get a deal. We could do it without a deal, because you know what, it’s easier, because these people lie and cheat,” Trump said.
.@POTUS: “A lot of people say they’re very dishonorable people and can’t stick to a deal, so we’ll see… Will @SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner and @VP and everyone else working on this talk? I guess they can but I can’t see it… My whole life is deals. I can’t see it.” https://t.co/qk382gaFoU pic.twitter.com/865qTjazhG? Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 8, 2026
Eight members of the Iranian army were killed in US strikes on southern regions of Iran early Wednesday, according to state media reports.
It was stated that the victims were members of the air force and navy and died due to the attacks in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.
Iran is ready to fight to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and will launch more attacks in response to US military intervention, Iran’s English-language state broadcaster Press TV said, citing what it described as a well-informed security source.
The report stated that Iran will make no distinction between the United States and its regional allies.
Amid a flare-up of hostilities that has sent oil prices sharply higher, Iran has previously said it targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait after US forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Renewed hostilities have also increased security and safety concerns around the Strait of Hormuz; Shipping data shows at least four oil and gas tankers have turned back instead of trying to pass through the waterway, a vital supply route.
With AP and DPA
