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On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that American airstrikes targeting Iran would persist "until I decide it's enough." He cautioned that critical infrastructure such as power plants and bridges could be at risk unless Tehran engages in negotiations. In an interview with a prominent news correspondent, Trump indicated that the US would ramp up its military operations in the upcoming days, asserting that Iran had "no option" but to come to the negotiating table.

This statement coincided with the US's reimplementation of a naval blockade on vessels moving to and from Iranian ports, following a deadline set by US Central Command (CENTCOM). Trump emphasized that US forces would continue to target Iranian assets in the near future. "We will strike them hard tonight, and again tomorrow night, and the night after that," he stated, warning that the military campaign would intensify if Iran did not return to talks.

He further warned, "Next week will be particularly severe for them, as we will target their power plants and bridges unless they agree to negotiate." In a tweet, Trump reiterated, "They'll continue until I say it's enough." He also hinted that Iran's energy sector could be a future target, stating, "I'll reserve energy targets for last, but we will ultimately strike them." The President claimed that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly weakened by ongoing US strikes and assured that these operations would persist.

Trump mentioned that US representatives had recently communicated with Iranian officials, noting that discussions had occurred just an hour prior to the interview. He remarked, "They want to reach an agreement, but they break it every time." When asked about the message conveyed to Tehran, he stated, "You better make a deal. You won't have anyone left." He added, "I warned them, you better negotiate, or you will lose everything." Trump also assured that US forces were exercising caution to protect civilian lives during the strikes.

The interview took place as the US reinstated its naval blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, effective at 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, a day after Trump declared the US would restore this measure and act as the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly before the deadline, CENTCOM confirmed that US forces had initiated another series of strikes against Iranian capabilities near this strategic waterway. "At 3 PM ET today, US Central Command forces began launching additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," the military stated in a post on X. CENTCOM also noted, "These strikes are occurring as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal regions." The military has not yet disclosed the scale of the operation or the specific targets of the latest strikes.