US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Washington may launch additional military strikes against Iran also vowed the American military has "knocked the hell out of them."
Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for a campaign rally in Iowa, Trump defended the ongoing military campaign alongside Israel, insisting it was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
"We've knocked the hell out of them and we may do it a little bit further" Trump said, adding that previous administration officials should have taken decisive action earlier.
The US-Israel military action against Iran began on February 28, triggered retaliatory drone and missile strikes across the region. Iran has effectively closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz and severely disrupting global energy routes. Iranian authorities reported that seven oil tankers sustained damage in the waterway in a single day the highest daily toll since fighting broke out.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire collapsed after a June memorandum of understanding failed to produce a final peace agreement due to disputes over navigation rights in the strait. Recent reports suggest US and Israeli forces have prepared contingency plans for renewed strikes following the US midterm elections.
The ongoing conflict continues to spark broader regional fallout also worsening humanitarian conditions across Gaza and Yemen while keeping global energy supplies on edge.
