President Donald Trump backed off a threat to hit Iran “VERY HARD,” saying on social media Thursday afternoon that the strikes had been cancelled. The post followed an earlier one in which Trump said the U.S. could move to “assume total control” of Iran’s oil and gas industries, including the strategic Kharg Island export terminal in the “not too distant future.”
Trump’s threat came as U.S. and Iranian forces traded strikes for a second consecutive day, pushing the Middle East closer to a broader regional war. It marked the third major exchange of hostilities this week, following attacks between Iran and Israel and then rounds of fire between the U.S. and Iran that have spread across countries hosting U.S. military bases. In announcing the canceled strikes, Trump said the negotiations were nearing a deal — something he’s claimed often in the months since the war began.
The potential escalation with Kharg Island signals that the fighting could be entering a particularly dangerous period, with diplomatic efforts appearing strained on both sides. Trump warned Iran would “pay the price” for the stalled negotiations, while Iran accused Washington this week of rendering a ceasefire meaningless through continued military action.Trump appeared on Fox News on Thursday morning and denied he was frustrated at the impasse but did appear to be annoyed by how the conflict was being perceived.