WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said the United States will launch more military strikes on Iran and increase its operations in the coming days. He also repeated his plan to tighten restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump said the US would carry out heavy strikes on Iran on Monday night and Tuesday.
Trump said a memorandum of understanding was used to test Iran, but claimed Tehran failed to meet its commitments. He also said US forces were preparing to target Mount Kolang Gaz La in central Iran.
The US president said he has good coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He added, “At times I disagree with Netanyahu, and I let him know whenever that happens.”
Speaking later at the White House, Trump claimed US forces were weakening Iran’s military and targeting assets linked to the Strait of Hormuz. He said military operations would continue overnight but added that he still believes an agreement with Tehran is possible.
Trump also claimed that a blockade on Iran would be more effective than continued bombing. He further claimed that Iran’s first- and second-tier leadership had been eliminated, but did not provide evidence to support the claim.
Earlier on Monday, Trump announced the return of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the United States would become the “guardian” of the waterway and proposed a 20 percent fee on all cargo passing through it.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open for international shipping, but the blockade would apply only to Iranian vessels and their customers. He added that all other countries would continue to have unrestricted access and that the new measures would take effect immediately.
