Trump Threatens Strong Iran Attack, Eyes Oil Hub, Then Moderates Tone Amid Talks
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a "very strong" attack on Iran and expressed a desire to seize Iran's Harg Island, a key oil infrastructure hub.
- Trump later softened his rhetoric, questioning American support for such a military action and emphasizing ongoing negotiations.
- Indirect U.S.-Iran talks are reportedly continuing despite escalating hostilities, focusing on issues like frozen Iranian assets.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning of a "very strong" attack on Iran, stating the U.S. would "very strongly hit Iran tonight." He also articulated a future goal of seizing Iran's Harg Island, a critical hub for its oil infrastructure, following a week of heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and exchanges of airstrikes.
The United States will VERY STRONGLY hit Iran tonight (whose navy, air force, radar, air defense and all other forms of defense, along with most of its offensive capabilities, are GONE!).
Trump's social media posts declared that Iran's naval, air, radar, and air defense capabilities, along with most offensive abilities, had been "GONE!". He added, "At some point in the not too distant future, we will take over the island of Harg and other points of oil and gas infrastructure and take full control of their oil and gas markets."
At some point in the not too distant future, we will take over the island of Harg and other points of oil and gas infrastructure and take full control of their oil and gas markets.
However, Trump later moderated his stance in an interview on Fox News. He acknowledged that taking Harg Island would be his personal "wish and preference" but expressed uncertainty about American public support for such a military operation. "I don't know if America has the stomach for it, I think they'd like to see us come home," he remarked, suggesting a potential disconnect between his ambitions and domestic appetite for further conflict.
If we have to negotiate with bombs, we will negotiate with bombs, and we are very good at it.
Despite the bellicose rhetoric and escalating hostilities, indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are reportedly ongoing. Sources indicate that discussions are addressing preliminary peace agreement terms, including the mechanism for releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously stated, "If we have to negotiate with bombs, we will negotiate with bombs, and we are very good at it."
I don't know if America has the stomach for it, I think they'd like to see us come home.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.