Key facts
- President Trump threatened severe military action against Iran, stating "we're going to be attacking them very hard".
- Trump accused Iran of shooting down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump urged Iranian leaders to sign a "meaningful" deal that prohibits Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed US military operations are imminent and will target 'key facilities'.
- The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) condemned the US for military escalation and targeting civilian infrastructure.
- Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz stated the campaign against Iran is "far from over".
President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran, threatening "very hard" attacks and accusing the nation of shooting down a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. These threats come as the US military prepares for operations in the coming hours, overshadowing Trump's previous suggestions of a potential deal.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that US Central Command "will be busy tonight" and that strikes would be "strong" and "clear," targeting "key facilities" in Iran. Hegseth also claimed US control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that oil has been able to transit the waterway for weeks. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) condemned the US for choosing military escalation, calling it a risk to reigniting conflict and denouncing attacks on civilian infrastructure, including water facilities, as war crimes. The group noted that the majority of Americans and Congress oppose the war.
Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the "campaign against Iran is far from over," indicating a continued readiness for action. Israeli forces have also conducted numerous raids and attacks in the occupied West Bank. The head of the Iranian parliament's national security committee warned that any new round of war "won't be limited to the region."
Earlier developments included Trump's questioning of Netanyahu's intentions, leading to the confirmation that Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election. Trump had previously claimed a US naval blockade on Iran was effective and threatened new strikes, while Iran's military spokesman stated they "won't back down."