President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US may reinstate the naval blockade on Iranian ports, conquer Kharg Island, and cast doubt on reaching a final deal with Iran, according to Amit Segal (N12). Trump also said the US destroyed 28 Iranian boats yesterday and will 'probably' attack tonight, accusing Iran of asking for a funeral pause before launching missiles.
President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric further on Wednesday, threatening to conquer Iran's strategic Kharg Island — its primary oil export terminal — while also raising the possibility of reinstating a naval blockade on Iranian ports and expressing doubt about reaching a final nuclear deal. The remarks, reported by Amit Segal (N12), came at 16:27 Jerusalem and cap a rapid succession of statements from the U.S. president within the span of an hour, marking the hardened end of a thread that began with an initial threat to seize the island minutes earlier.
The Zioneer first reported at 16:27 that Trump said the U.S. may seize Kharg Island, per Amichai Stein (i24NEWS), as the president shifted toward territorial-control rhetoric. Within the same minute, a second update quoted him saying Iran was not sincere about a deal. The desk then reported at 16:28 that the U.S. destroyed 28 Iranian boats yesterday and would 'probably' strike tonight (Asaf Rozentzweig, N12). At 16:31, the desk reported Trump's statement that the U.S. may reinstate a naval blockade. A subsequent background report at 16:33 quoted Trump accusing Iran of asking for a funeral pause before launching missiles, adding 'they deserve it.' The present development combines and expands those earlier threats into a more comprehensive military posture.
Kharg Island handles roughly 90% of Iranian oil exports, as The Zioneer noted in its initial report. Trump also reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is achievable without a formal agreement, casting further doubt on negotiations. No official response from Tehran has been reported yet.
What remains open: it is unclear whether Trump's threats represent a final U.S. position or further escalation of rhetorical pressure. The scope and timing of any potential military action — tonight or later — have not been specified, and it is not known whether Iran has responded to the funeral-pause accusation.
6 developments
- StrongTrump Threatens 'Very Hard' Strikes on Iran Tonight, Outlines Plan for Kharg Island Seizure
- StrongTrump announces end of ceasefire with Iran, vows 'very heavy' strike today
- DevelopingTrump: 'In my opinion, the MOU with Iran is dead' — Amit Segal (N12)
- StrongTrump threatens to seize Iran's Kharg Island; Iran warns 'no soldier will return alive'
Source and signal
- Internal intake