Trump Threatens Fresh Strikes on Iran as Tehran Vows Retaliation

The former president framed the potential strikes as a necessary lever to force Iran back to the negotiating table. Trump claimed previous operations, including “Midnight Hammer,” successfully dismantled Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities and crippled its economy. While he offered no specific terms for a diplomatic resolution, he insisted that military intervention remains the primary tool to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Tehran has responded with a sharp warning, advising the U.S. not to “play with fire.” According to reports, Iranian officials have drafted contingency plans to target undersea communication cables in the Gulf to disrupt global internet connectivity should a new attack occur. This escalation coincides with growing concerns within U.S. intelligence circles. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton recently alerted Secretary of State Marco Rubio to advanced lethal plots aimed at American officials, prompting the State Department to reduce diplomatic staffing across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.