Ankara, July 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the United States would probably carry out further strikes on Iran on Wednesday night, following attacks the previous day.
Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey, before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump said: "I'll give a little warning: We're going to hit them hard tonight."
Earlier in the day, in remarks given to reporters in Ankara, Trump characterized a memorandum of understanding that had served as an initial ceasefire between Washington and Tehran as "over." He did not, however, explicitly state that the United States would return to a full-scale war.
On the question of whether negotiations aimed at converting the temporary arrangement into a permanent deal would proceed, Trump said: "I don't know if we're going to have a deal. We may just do it without a deal," making clear the outcome of talks remained uncertain.
There has been a recent flare-up of hostilities in the region. Iran said it had targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The exchange of strikes and retaliatory actions has elevated tensions and raised questions about the durability of the temporary ceasefire arrangement.
The renewed conflict pushed oil prices up sharply and increased concern about safety and security around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor for global oil and gas shipments. Shipping data cited in the reporting showed that at least four oil and gas tankers turned back rather than attempt to transit the waterway, reflecting heightened caution among commercial vessels.
While the president's public comments signaled a readiness to continue military pressure, they left several salient questions unresolved - notably whether formal negotiations toward a permanent settlement will continue, and whether the United States intends to escalate beyond targeted strikes.
Given the limited and evolving information presented publicly, the situation remains fluid. Observers and market participants have already registered the immediate effects through price moves in energy markets and shifts in shipping patterns, but longer-term outcomes depend on whether diplomatic efforts resume and on the scope of any further military actions.