US President Donald Trump has said military operations against Iran will continue while maintaining that a diplomatic agreement remains possible.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday (13 Jul), Trump said a proposed agreement with Iran had broken down after Tehran raised objections. He said the US had resumed strikes aimed at reducing Iran’s military capabilities.
“We’re hitting them very hard,” Trump said, adding that the US was “knocking out all of their offensive capability”. He also said, “I think a deal is possible,” while reiterating that Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon”.
Trump said the US was restoring a blockade affecting trade linked to Iran through the Strait of Hormuz, while allowing other shipping activity to continue.
The latest escalation follows the breakdown of a US-Iran ceasefire arrangement and renewed clashes linked to control of the Strait of Hormuz. The US has carried out further strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has responded with attacks in the region.
Both sides have continued to dispute control of the strategic waterway, increasing pressure on efforts to restore diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security.
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