BREAKING: Trump threatens Iran with “total destruction” and warns that “it will take a hard blow” | International
U.S. President warns of “total destruction” while Iran pledges retaliation for air strikes
In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Saturday to deliver a “hard blow” to Iran, one week into the war the United States and Israel launched against the Islamic Republic. In a post on his social media platform, Truth, Trump warned of potential mass destruction targeting areas and groups in Iran that had not previously been considered as objectives. He set a firm deadline, writing, “Today Iran will receive a hard blow!”
Trump’s Tough Talk and Military Actions
Trump’s post was released early in the morning, Washington time, after an intense week of air strikes and missile exchanges between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The president’s message comes amid continuing bombardments by U.S. and Israeli fighter jets, which have focused on both regime targets and civilian areas, including Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, which sustained major damage in the strikes.
These developments followed a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who confirmed that Israel had, in coordination with the United States, launched a series of air strikes that have targeted government installations and military sites across Iran. “The attacks are intense,” said Setayesh, a teacher from Tehran who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons. “In our area, you can constantly hear the noise of anti-aircraft defense and fighter planes.”
“Today Iran will receive a hard blow!” – Donald Trump
The United States and Israel’s campaign is reportedly the most intense air operation in recent history, with the NGO Airwars tracking more than 4,000 targets hit in the first four days—far surpassing the strikes against the Islamic State in 2014 and even the early days of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Iran’s Response and Internal Fractures
In response, Iran has fired missiles at U.S. military bases in the region and has engaged in a heated exchange with Arab Gulf states, which have been accused of hosting U.S. troops. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared on television, apologizing to the Gulf nations for attacks that have targeted them, stressing that future strikes would be retaliatory in nature.
Despite this conciliatory tone, Iran’s military apparatus, including the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has contradicted Araghchi’s statements. The military issued a warning that any use of Arab territories by the U.S. for attacks on Iran would be met with further retaliation. “The land, sea, and skies of the region will be the main target of the forceful and intense blows of the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said the statement from the Jatam al Anbiya headquarters, which oversees both Iran’s regular army and the IRGC.
The Iranian leadership’s internal split has become increasingly apparent, with President Massoud Pezeshkián’s earlier statements being swiftly contradicted by military commanders who called for an uncompromising stance. Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s National Security Council, emphasized that Iranian forces would continue to target U.S. and Israeli interests in the region “until the leader’s death is avenged,” referring to the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed by U.S. and Israeli air strikes.
Trump’s Vision and the Path Ahead
In private conversations, Trump has also raised the possibility of deploying U.S. ground troops in Iran, though sources close to the matter insist that no decision has been made. Trump has reportedly considered a limited troop deployment focused on controlling Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, drawing comparisons to the U.S. military’s role in post-Maduro Venezuela.
Despite these ongoing military actions, Trump’s public stance remains vague, with some reports suggesting that he initially expected the conflict to last only a few days but is now bracing for a longer, more protracted war. In a striking shift, Trump insisted that “total surrender” by Iran was the only acceptable outcome, a demand that many analysts believe will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.
As the conflict rages on, the U.S. president’s demeanor has grown increasingly erratic. At a White House event, when asked about Russia’s alleged involvement in providing intelligence to Iran, Trump dismissed the question with a wave, exclaiming, “What a silly question right now! We are talking about something else.”
Iran’s Defiant Stance
Back in Tehran, President Pezeshkián mocked Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” calling it a “dream” that would die with the president. “Let our dear people know that all the ministers are committed to it. We are at war, we have prepared for it and we will continue to do so,” Pezeshkián stated defiantly, signaling Iran’s determination to continue the fight.
As the war enters its second week, the situation remains fluid, with no clear end in sight. Both sides continue to engage in air strikes and missile exchanges, while diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire or negotiation remain absent. The world watches as the conflict threatens to reshape the Middle East in ways that are still impossible to predict.
The Bigger Picture:
Experts suggest this event marks a turning point that may influence policy decisions worldwide.
World leaders are expected to respond to these developments in the coming days.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by Internacional en EL PAÍS and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.