US President Donald Trump spoke with reporters in the Oval Office today, and much of the conversation centered on Iran, including a fresh warning that
the United States could strike the country again whenever it chooses. "We hit them very hard last night. We took out all of the new equipment that they tried to build along the Strait of Hormuz," he said, adding that the operation targeted both defensive and offensive systems Iran had been trying to set up in the area. He described it as "a very heavy attack last night" and said "we're prepared to do another one any time we want."
Why Iran Was Building Along the Strait of Hormuz
According to Trump, Iran had been attempting to install new equipment near the Strait of Hormuz so it could track ships passing through the waterway.He said American forces destroyed this equipment, framing it as a direct response to Iran's inability to monitor vessel movement in the strait on its own.
Trump Claims US Surveillance Covers Everything Iran Does
Pressed further on Iran, Trump suggested the US has near total visibility into the country's activities. "We see everything that they are doing. They can't go to the bathroom without us seeing it," he said.Trump on the State of Iran's Regime
Trump also argued that Iran's government is losing its grip on power. "The regime is getting weaker and weaker, and at some point they are not going to be able to shoot so easily. The people aren't going to take it," he said.Trump's Claims on Protester Deaths
Trump also made specific claims about the scale of the crackdown on protesters inside Iran. He said that as of three months ago, Iranian authorities had killed 52,000 protesters, and that he now believes the number has climbed by another 20,000 to 25,000, bringing the total close to 65,000.Trump on Iran:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 2, 2026
As of three months ago, they had 52,000 protesters that were killed.
Now I hear the number is 20 to 25,000 more.
They have close to 65,000 protesters killed. pic.twitter.com/w5aRbQ5VLd
He accused Iranian forces of executing demonstrators outright, saying "they kill their people when they get out to protest. They shoot them right between the eyes."
