Trump Signals New Strike on Iran as Tehran Threatens to Close the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States may launch another strike against Iran later tonight, following overnight American attacks on Iranian military targets. Speaking while attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump struck a defiant tone, expressing skepticism about the prospects for a lasting diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

Before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump sharply criticized the Iranian leadership.

"They're cuckoo. There's something wrong with them," he said. "We sit down with them in a room, and then they walk out and claim that nothing was agreed upon. Even if we reach a deal with Iran, I don't believe it will last."

Trump reiterated that the U.S. objective is not regime change but preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"This is not about changing the regime," he said. "It's about ensuring that Iran is completely deprived of nuclear weapons. For 47 years they have threatened the Middle East and violated agreements. Iran breaks the ceasefire every day. They lie, and they kill people. There may not be a deal at all, but we may still achieve our goal of ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons."

Bahrain Reports Interceptions as Gulf States Condemn Iran

Meanwhile, Bahrain's Defense Force announced that its air defense systems intercepted several projectiles launched from Iran. Officials did not disclose the number or type of weapons involved.

In a statement, Bahrain accused Iran of maintaining "its hostile approach," adding that "the deliberate use of missiles and drones against civilians and private property constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law."

Earlier in the day, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait issued similar condemnations of Iranian attacks. Officials in Dubai also warned that any further aggression would be met with a forceful response.

Iran Warns of Escalation

Iranian officials responded with their own warnings, threatening significant retaliation if the United States carries out additional strikes.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran would close the Strait of Hormuz and "respond with twice the force" if attacked again.

Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Habibollah Sayyari declared that the country's military was fully prepared for any confrontation.

"The Iranian armed forces stand at full strength and are ready to respond to any act of aggression," he said. "Any attempt to land forces on our shores will lead to hell."

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, echoed the warning.

"We have repeatedly demonstrated that any act of adventurism will receive an immediate response," he said. "The Axis of Resistance will not remain silent in the face of humiliation and aggression. Our finger remains on the trigger."

Negotiations Appear to Collapse

Trump also stated earlier Wednesday that, in his view, the memorandum of understanding between the parties is no longer valid.

Iranian media quickly echoed that position. The Fars News Agency reported that Iran should "officially declare the memorandum of understanding terminated, end the ceasefire discussions, and cancel the negotiations."

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, added that "recognizing Iran's new policy regarding the Strait of Hormuz is the only path forward."

The Tasnim News Agency also reported that "Trump has officially announced the termination of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding."

Footage Shows Damage to Khamenei's Residence

Meanwhile, Iranian state television aired footage showing what remained of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's residence following the Israeli strike carried out on the first day of Operation Rising Lion.

During demonstrations across Iran on Wednesday, large crowds called for revenge over Khamenei's death. According to Iranian reports, the Supreme Leader is scheduled to be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Mashhad.