Iran Warns of ‘Severe and Expanded’ Strikes after Trump’s Speech

(SeaPRwire) –   After U.S. President Donald Trump’s national address, Iranian officials warned the United States and Israel that they will launch “crushing, broader, and more destructive attacks” in response. During the speech, Trump stated America is close to meeting its core military goals, but threatened to strike Iran “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks.

“You must pay the price for the aggression you launched against our honorable, beloved Muslim nation,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the Iranian military. “You know nothing about our far-reaching and strategic military capabilities.”

He said the war will continue until Iran’s adversaries are left “permanently regretful and surrender.”

The spokesperson also rejected Trump’s assessment that “Iran has been essentially decimated.” He claimed the facilities targeted so far have been “insignificant” and insisted U.S. military forces cannot reach Iran’s key production sites.

The warning, published by IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency, is the latest signal that the 34-day-old Iran war still has no clear end in sight.

Despite Trump’s warning, Iran continued launching strikes across the Persian Gulf on Thursday morning.

The Israeli military also carried out a new round of strikes across Tehran, targeting IRGC ground forces and missile production facilities.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said Thursday that Tehran “has no choice but to fight back strongly.”

“We will not tolerate this vicious cycle: war, negotiations, ceasefire, then repeating the same pattern over and over,” he said in a statement carried by Iranian state media. “This is catastrophic not only for Iran, but for the entire region and beyond.”

Oil prices surge as the conflict continues

Following Trump’s speech and the ongoing exchange of attacks, crude oil prices rose sharply again Thursday morning, with Brent crude climbing to $108 per barrel.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping passage connecting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil output, remains largely blocked.

Iran has used the vital waterway as a political bargaining chip since the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. Despite Trump’s threats to force the strait open, very few vessels have been granted safe passage, bringing trade through the route to a virtual standstill.

During his Wednesday address, Trump once again criticized allied nations that refused to send warships to reopen the strait.

“To countries that can’t get fuel — most of which refused to join the effort to dismantle Iran, so we had to do it alone — I have a suggestion,” he said. “Number one, buy oil from the United States of America; we have more than enough, we have so much. And number two, find the courage you’ve been putting off… Go to the Strait and just take it. Protect it. Use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated, the hard part is done.”

Echoing previous remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump said the strait would likely “just open up naturally” once the war ends.

In an apparent effort to reassure Americans amid growing concerns that U.S. gas prices will top $4 per gallon, Trump called the price increase a “short-term” issue and argued “the United States has never been better prepared economically to confront this threat.”

U.K. hosts Strait of Hormuz talks with more than 30 nations

In an interview published Wednesday, Trump threatened to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, after allied nations chose not to actively join the Iran war.

He specifically called out the U.K., issuing another public rebuke of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has refused to take an active role in the conflict beyond defensive measures.

Starmer defended his position again during a press briefing, insisting the U.K. will not be “dragged” into war and vowing to act in the “British national interest” despite external pressure.

On Thursday, U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosted a virtual meeting with a coalition of more than 30 nations to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. reportedly did not attend.

Cooper stated there is an “urgent need” to restore freedom of navigation through the passage, and labeled Iran reckless for “undermining global economic security” by targeting vessels.

This week’s coalition discussions will be followed by “a meeting of military planners” next week to review “viable options” to reopen the strait.

TIME has reached out to the U.K. Foreign Office for additional information.

Meanwhile, during a state visit to South Korea, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters it is “unrealistic” to think the strait can be reopened by force. Instead, he said the vital waterway must be secured “in coordination with Iran.”