President Donald Trump vows intense strikes as Iran war heads into third week

President Donald Trump has escalated the US military campaign against Iran, vowing to strike Iranian targets 'very hard' in the coming days as the conflict approaches its third week.

“Trump vows intense strikes as Iran war heads into third week President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Friday that American forces would strike Iranian targets "very hard" in the coming days, signaling an intensification of the US-Israeli campaign as the war in the Middle East approaches its third week”

AL-Monitor

Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump declared that American forces would intensify their offensive, signaling a new phase in the regional conflict that began on February 28 when Washington and its ally launched strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

AL-Monitor

The president's statements come as the war has already rattled global energy markets and drawn missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, with Trump expressing confidence that Iran's leadership could eventually be toppled by its own people.

Trump acknowledged the challenges faced by unarmed citizens against Iran's paramilitary Basij force, which has played a central role in crushing recent nationwide protests.

The United States has conducted significant military operations against Iran's strategic Kharg Island, which handles the majority of the country's crude oil exports.

Trump confirmed that US forces 'obliterated' targets on the island in a social media post, deliberately avoiding direct attacks on oil infrastructure for what he called 'reasons of decency.'

AP News

However, the president issued a stark warning that if Iran interferes with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, he would reconsider his decision and potentially 'wipe out the Oil Infrastructure.'

This strategic targeting comes after Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had warned that attacks on the islands would cause Iran to 'abandon all restraint,' underscoring their critical importance to Iran's economy and security.

The regional conflict has significantly escalated with Iran launching retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and multiple Gulf countries, causing major disruptions to global energy markets.

“Home / World News / What is Kharg Island: Iran's 'forbidden' oil lifeline targeted in US strike What is Kharg Island: Iran's 'forbidden' oil lifeline targeted in US strike Kharg Island, the centre of Iran's oil export network in the Persian Gulf, has come under the spotlight after Trump said US forces carried out a major strike on military facilities there Advertisement”

Business Standard

Iranian state media reported new missile launches toward Israeli territory, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting dozens of drones and Turkish authorities stated that NATO defense systems shot down a ballistic missile launched from Iran.

The conflict has forced effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes, despite US assurances that shipping lanes remain secure.

In Tehran, a large explosion rocked Ferdowsi Square during a mass rally where thousands gathered chanting 'death to Israel' and 'death to America,' with Israel having previously warned people to clear the area, though few Iranians saw the warning due to internet shutdowns.

The United States has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional forces while reporting substantial operational gains against Iranian targets.

The Pentagon has ordered the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship carrying approximately 2,500 Marines from Japan, to join the naval flotilla operating in the Arabian Sea.

AL-Monitor

This deployment follows the US announcement that over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck since the war began, averaging more than 1,000 targets per day.

The human cost of the conflict has grown with the US military confirming that all six crew members of a KC-135 refueling plane were killed when it crashed in Iraq, bringing the total US death toll to at least 13 service members.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has deepened, with nearly 800 people killed and 850,000 displaced as Israel continues strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

The escalating conflict has triggered significant economic repercussions globally, with oil markets surging and energy security concerns intensifying.

Brent crude prices have reportedly increased by more than 40 percent since the conflict escalated, with prices rising above $100 per barrel as investors worry about supply disruptions from the Middle East.

AP News

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important maritime routes in the world, with nearly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the narrow waterway.

In response to shipping disruptions, President Trump announced that the US Navy would soon begin escorting commercial tankers through the region to ensure safe passage.

The economic instability has raised broader concerns about global inflation, energy shortages, and economic consequences if the conflict continues to expand, with the crisis increasingly becoming a major international security and economic challenge.