President Donald Trump has issued new unspoken threats against Iran, a day after he withdrew his deadline to dismantle Iran.
In a provocative social media post published just before midnight Wednesday, Trump began by announcing that all US service members in the Middle East would remain there until there was a “real deal” with Iran.
“All U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel, surplus ammunition, weapons, and other things suitable and necessary for the deadly prosecution and destruction of an already sufficiently humiliated enemy, will remain in and around Iran, until the actual agreement is fully complied with.”
The president then warned that if no deal was reached, “then the ‘shootin’ begins,” threatening strikes “bigger, better and stronger than ever seen before.”
He continued, “It was agreed, a long time ago, and despite all the fake rhetoric to the contrary – no nuclear weapons and, the Strait of Hormuz will be open and secure,” before adding, “Meanwhile our great army is loading and resting, looking forward to its next victory, really.”
“America is back!”
Donald Trump / True Social
An apparent ceasefire plan brokered by Pakistan has hit several speed bumps. Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon angered Iran, and missiles flew between several Middle Eastern countries after a temporary ceasefire was declared.
In his Truth Social post announcing his withdrawal from bombing Iran on Tuesday, Trump spoke of a “workable” 10-point plan that Iran had flagged to the United States for a cease-fire, claiming it was a “negotiating basis.”
In Trump’s version, he said the US would suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the full, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran has issued several statements. Trump posted a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying that ships would be allowed to pass through the strait for two weeks if attacks against Iran stopped. Trump later claimed it was an “official statement” from Iran.
A day after announcing a two-week ceasefire, Trump threatened Iran again. / Kevin Lamarck / REUTERS
Another Iranian statement, issued by its Supreme National Security Council, asserted Iran’s continued control over the Straits and claimed victory over Trump.
Trump lashed out at CNN over its reporting of the Supreme National Security Council statement, accusing the network of spreading fake news.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper responded to Trump’s accusations Wednesday, telling viewers, “The statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which claimed victory for Iran, did not match the message the Trump administration wanted to convey.
The president also criticized “fraudsters and charlatans” who claimed to have circulated fake copies of Iran’s cease-fire plan.
“They will be exposed as soon as our federal investigation is complete,” he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
His new threats against Iran come as the MAGAverse continues to tear itself apart over the president’s war on Iran, with many prominent conservatives denouncing the president’s threats to wipe out an entire civilization.
“The 25th Amendment needs to be invoked. He is a genocidal lunatic. Our Congress and military need to intervene. We are beyond lunatic,” wrote far-right influencer Candace Owens on X. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green also called for invoking the 25th Amendment.
“Trump literally sounds like an unhinged super villain from a Marvel comic book,” far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones wrote Tuesday. “This is not what we voted for!!!”
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly claimed in an interview with Piers Morgan on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “bamboozled” Trump, adding that he was “too stupid to see through the lies.”
“One way or another, he allowed himself to be pushed into this maddened conflict.”
