WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States could carry out heavy strikes against Iran and take control of key oil and gas facilities in the near future, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran’s navy, air force, radar systems and defensive capabilities had been “completely destroyed,” and suggested further attacks could follow.
He also said that strategic energy installations, including facilities on Kharg Island, could come under US control, adding that Washington could assert broader influence over Iran’s energy markets.
Trump further referenced Venezuela, saying the United States had pursued similar strategies there, which he described as successful for both countries.
The comments come amid rising regional tensions. Iran has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s latest statement.
More read, Iran’s retaliatory strike claims targeting 18 US military installations
Earlier, Iran has claimed that it has targeted US military bases and naval assets across the region in response to recent American strikes, further escalating already heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that a missile attack was carried out on a US military base in Erbil, Iraq, where radar systems were allegedly hit.
Iranian officials also claimed that clashes between Iranian and US forces are ongoing near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
In its statement, the IRGC further said that US naval vessels positioned near the Strait of Hormuz were struck using missiles and drones. It also claimed responsibility for operations targeting 18 US military installations across the region.
