Trump on Iran: 'We wasted a lot of time with them'

The United States has launched new airstrikes against Iran, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. According to reports from the German public broadcaster ARD, U.S. military forces have conducted attacks targeting multiple locations within Iran, aiming to limit its ability to disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that approximately 90 targets were struck during this latest wave of attacks. These strikes reportedly included runways, missile launch sites, and coastal surveillance facilities.

Iran responded swiftly, launching counterattacks on U.S. military bases located in allied Gulf states such as Bahrain and Kuwait. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities along the Persian Gulf coast, including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Konarak, Sirik, and Bushehr, where the Bushehr nuclear power plant is situated. Three individuals were reported killed in these attacks. Meanwhile, alarms were raised in Bahrain and Kuwait following suspected drone and rocket attacks on U.S. installations, although initial assessments indicated there was no immediate confirmation of damage.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation while returning from the NATO summit in Turkey, stating that Iran had recently reached out to negotiate a deal but expressed doubts about the value of such an agreement. He described Iran as “pretty crazy” and warned that further actions could involve attacking civilian infrastructure or taking control of the strategic island of Chahbahar, which handles nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports. Trump also reiterated his stance that the framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict had essentially failed.

In response to the escalating tensions, Pakistan urged both the United States and Iran to exercise restraint, emphasizing that renewed conflict would serve no one's interests. Pakistan called on all parties to adhere to their commitments under the June framework agreement, which stipulated that a final deal should be negotiated within 60 days. Key issues under discussion include Iran’s nuclear program, the security of shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s support for militant groups in the region.

According to reports from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the United States continued its aerial assaults on Iran over two consecutive nights, targeting around 90 military objectives, including air defense systems, coastal monitoring equipment, and missile and drone storage facilities. In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain using drones and rockets. President Trump warned that if such incidents occurred again, the consequences would be even more severe.

The attacks disrupted railway services in Iran after a section of the critical Tehran-Mashhad rail line was bombed. This disruption affected travel plans for pilgrims heading to Mashhad, where the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died earlier this year, was scheduled to take place. Additionally, the already strained maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a near halt, contributing to rising oil prices with Brent crude reaching above $79 per barrel.

The situation has drawn concerns from German politicians regarding the potential long-term economic repercussions of the renewed hostilities. They anticipate prolonged uncertainty and instability in the Middle East, affecting global markets significantly. As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community remains watchful, hoping for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic negotiations.