US president questions Tehran’s commitment as CENTCOM confirms attacks on dozens of Iranian military targets
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran had reached out seeking an agreement despite his earlier declaration that the Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran was no longer in effect.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after attending the NATO summit in Türkiye, Trump claimed Iran was eager to negotiate but questioned whether its leadership could be trusted to honour any future arrangement.
“They have very little left, and they want to make a deal so badly,” Trump said. However, he added that he remained uncertain whether Tehran would uphold its commitments if a new agreement were reached.
The US president also criticised Iran’s recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that such actions contradicted Tehran’s stated interest in diplomacy. Furthermore, he warned that any future attacks on US interests would trigger an overwhelming military response.
Trump said Washington had already retaliated following recent incidents and insisted the United States would continue responding forcefully if Iran carried out additional attacks. He also repeated previous claims that he remained a primary target for Tehran, joking with reporters that they would also face danger if he were attacked.
CENTCOM confirms extensive strikes
Meanwhile, US Central Command confirmed that American forces carried out a major operation against Iranian military infrastructure early Thursday. According to CENTCOM, approximately 80 military targets were struck, including more than 60 vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The military said the operation aimed to impose significant costs on Iran following attacks on three commercial ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington described as violations of the ceasefire.
Washington signals readiness for further action
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the next phase would depend entirely on Iran’s response. The official warned that continued attacks by Tehran could result in repeated US military operations, adding that American forces remain fully prepared to respond if hostilities escalate further.
