US President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States was negotiating with a “more reasonable” regime with Iran to end the ongoing war, but threatened to blow up Iran’s energy infrastructure, oil
wells and the Kharg Island if talks fail and if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran.”
“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet “touched.” This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year “Reign of Terror’,” he added.
Earlier today, Trump said the US military had taken out “many long sought after targets” in Iran, describing it as a “big day.” He also suggested that Tehran had broadly agreed to Washington’s conditions aimed at ending the conflict, although the Islamic Republic has denied such reports.
This came shortly after Trump said the war against Iran has achieved regime change, while remaining hopeful about a possible ceasefire deal. The conflict in West Asia, triggered by the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran on February 28, has entered its fifth week. Iran has hit back hard by bombing US assets in Gulf countries.
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Trump had earlier said he wants to “take the oil” in Iran and suggested that Washington could capture the country’s key export hub on Kharg Island. “I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily,” he added.
Earlier reports claimed the United States is preparing contingency plans for possible ground operations in Iran. These plans include targeted raids near the Strait of Hormuz and the possible seizure of Kharg Island. This would mark a dramatic escalation in the conflict, as Iran has claimed that it is ready to respond to any ground invasion.
According to the US Central Command, over 3,500 troops have already been deployed, including 2,500 Marines aboard the ISS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship capable of launching F-35 and Osprey aircraft. The Pentagon has also moved troops of the 82nd Airborne Division and is considering deploying an additional 10,000 troops.
