Trump Says U.S. Will Strike Iran “Very Hard”

In a Fox News interview and public statements, Trump emphasized that the U.S. would take very strong action against Iran in the coming week, signaling further military escalation. He also reassured that American forces could escort commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if needed.

The conflict has caused major disruptions to global energy supplies. Oil prices briefly surged above $100 per barrel, prompting U.S. authorities to issue a 30-day license for Russian oil purchases at sea to stabilize markets. The 32-nation International Energy Agency described the crisis as the largest oil supply disruption in history, while U.S. diesel prices hit $4.89 per gallon, the highest since December 2022.

Iranian media reported civilian casualties, including the death of a woman near a Quds Day rally in Tehran, attended by senior officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and strategic sites across Tehran, intensifying the regional humanitarian crisis.