SRINAGAR: US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that the United States would hit Iran “very hard”, amid media reports that his administration is considering a fresh round of military strikes that could begin as early as this weekend and potentially target the country’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, Trump said Iran would continue to face military pressure.
“We’ll be hitting him very hard and, you know, at some point they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore,'” Trump said.
The remarks came as The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reported that Trump had directed preparations for a new military campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran, with operations possibly beginning this weekend.
In a separate report, CBS News said the United States and Israel were discussing coordinated strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and power plants, although Trump had not yet given final approval for the operation.
According to CBS News, Washington and Israel have been closely coordinating the proposed plans following recent meetings in Washington involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The broadcaster also reported that some White House aides voiced strong objections to the proposal during the cabinet meeting.
Trump has repeatedly warned that Iran’s critical infrastructure could be targeted. Last week, he said the United States would destroy a bridge or power plant every time ships were attacked in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The latest developments come amid a conflict that, according to the reports, began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Since then, both sides have continued exchanging attacks.
If authorised, the reported operation would mark the first time Israel has directly joined a new phase of strikes on Iran since the opening weeks of the conflict, according to CBS News.
