Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a stern warning to Iran, declaring that the Islamic Republic would “no longer exist” if Washington is compelled to resume military operations, while accusing Tehran of breaching a recently announced ceasefire.
Trump’s remarks came after the United States carried out a fresh round of airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. According to US officials, the operation was launched in response to continued attacks on commercial shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said American forces had struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, coastal radar installations and other military assets after Tehran allegedly violated the ceasefire agreement.
He warned that while the United States remained willing to pursue peace, repeated violations could force Washington to intensify its military campaign.
US Central Command said the latest operation targeted surveillance systems, communication networks, air defence positions, drone storage facilities and mine-laying capabilities. The strikes were reportedly launched after an Iranian drone attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kiku, which was transporting nearly two million barrels of crude oil through the Gulf.
Iranian media reported explosions in the southern regions of Sirik and Qeshm following the strikes. The latest action followed another US operation a day earlier, which Washington said was retaliation for an attack on the commercial vessel Ever Lovely.
Tehran responded by claiming it had targeted American military positions in the Gulf. Bahrain also accused Iran of launching multiple drones toward its territory early Saturday, alleging that the attacks undermined ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any further military action by the United States would invite a broader and stronger response.
The renewed exchange of attacks has complicated negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began with the US and Israeli military campaign launched earlier this year. The fresh violence has also heightened concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy transit routes.
Iran has continued to warn foreign vessels against using the waterway without its approval, although international shipping has largely continued by adopting alternative navigation routes.
Security analysts believe Tehran may continue limited military pressure in the Gulf to maintain leverage during negotiations while avoiding a full-scale regional conflict.
Despite the security concerns, global oil prices declined amid expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain operational. However, Iran’s domestic economy continues to face mounting pressure, with official data showing annual inflation rising sharply to 88.6 percent.
Meanwhile, tensions also persisted on Israel’s northern front. Israeli forces carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon despite a US-backed agreement aimed at securing long-term peace between Israel and Lebanon.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the agreement, calling it unacceptable and insisting that Israel must fully withdraw from southern Lebanon before any lasting settlement can be achieved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the agreement, describing it as a significant strategic setback for Iran and Hezbollah. However, some members of his government criticised the deal, arguing that military pressure should continue until Hezbollah is completely disarmed.
Lebanese officials later reported fresh Israeli airstrikes in the Nabatieh region, with at least one person killed and two others injured.
The latest developments underscore the fragile security situation across the Middle East, where military confrontations in the Gulf and Lebanon continue to threaten broader diplomatic efforts to restore regional stability.