President Donald Trump delivered a final ultimatum to the Iranian regime concerning a peace deal after the U.S. launched a massive wave of strikes against targets in southern Iran for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.
While overseeing U.S. military operations from the Situation Room, Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that strikes against Iran would pause in the near term but warned of escalated action if no agreement is reached. According to Yingst’s reporting, Trump indicated that Iranian officials had contacted him requesting a halt to the bombing.
Trump added that if Iran does not sign the deal, “we’ll bomb the sh*t out of them.”
The stern ultimatum centers on negotiations aimed at resolving hostilities, including curbs on Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and regional activities. Trump has for weeks — during the tentative ceasefire that was agreed to in mid-April — that any lasting peace agreement must involve the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the resumption of free shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Yingst reported that the president has become fed up with negotiations, however, as Iran has repeatedly violated the terms of the ceasefire and made unreasonable demands. These include proposals to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, demands for a complete U.S. withdrawal from the region, billions of dollars in reparations payments, and the ability to continue uranium enrichment.
“They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post.
He reiterated similar points in comments to reporters, noting that Iran had been “tapping us along” and “playing us for suckers.” In the interview with Yingst, Trump signaled he was approaching decisions on further strikes, including potential targeting of infrastructure, due to insufficient progress.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive day of operations. According to CENTCOM statements, forces used precision munitions from U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets, striking Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.
These actions were characterized as self-defense measures in response to Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression.”
Targets included sites in southwestern Iran and areas near the Strait of Hormuz, such as locations in or around Sirik, Minab, and other southern coastal facilities. Some activity occurred in proximity to Tehran, though strikes focused on military infrastructure.
Explosions were reported in several additional Iranian cities and provinces, including areas near Bandar Abbas and Kharg Island.
Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported damage to service facilities, coastal outposts, and a water reservoir in Hormozgan province, with two residents sustaining shrapnel injuries. Iran claimed retaliatory actions, including missile launches toward U.S. targets in the region and a declaration closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessels, though U.S. officials rejected the closure claim.
