Iran has launched further ballistic missile and drone attacks across the Persian Gulf, defying President Donald Trump's latest warning of intensified U.S. strikes. The escalation comes in the sixth week of the U.S.-led military campaign, which began on February 28 with coordinated actions by American and Israeli forces. Trump declared in a national address that the U.S. was "on the cusp of ending Iran's sinister threat to America and the world," claiming that military objectives were nearly complete. He announced plans for even harsher attacks over the next two to three weeks, stating, "We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong." The U.S. Central Command reported striking over 12,300 targets linked to Iran's security infrastructure, including command centers, drone facilities, navy vessels, and missile sites. More than 155 Iranian vessels have been destroyed or damaged since the conflict began.
\nIran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghai, responded by rejecting the cycle of war and negotiation, calling it "disastrous not only for Iran, but for the entire region and beyond." He emphasized that Iran was "defending against an illegal war." Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian released a letter to the American people, framing Iran's actions as "a measured response grounded in legitimate self-defense" and not an act of aggression. Trump claimed ongoing discussions with Iran's new leadership, describing them as "less radical and much more reasonable," but warned that failure to reach a deal would result in attacks on Iran's energy and oil infrastructure. "We have all the cards," he said. "They have none."
\nThe U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert Thursday over threats from Iran-backed militias. Trump urged nations dependent on the Strait of Hormuz to secure the passage themselves, stating the U.S. does not use it. The United Kingdom is hosting a virtual summit of 35 countries, including European nations and Gulf states, to discuss reopening the strait. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the U.K. would not join the war, saying, "This is not our war and we're not going to get dragged into it," but acknowledged that ensuring navigation through the strait "will not be easy." Trump suggested affected countries buy oil from the U.S., claiming Iran had been "essentially decimated" and that "the hard part is done."
\nMilitary planners from participating nations are expected to assess naval options following the summit.
\nWhen Trump says the U.S. is "on the cusp" of eliminating Iran's threat, he is framing total destruction as imminent victory—yet six weeks in, Iran is still launching coordinated strikes and the Strait remains blocked. His claim that "the hard part is done" clashes with the reality of sustained Iranian resistance and growing regional instability. If the U.S. has "all the cards," as Trump insists, then the inability to secure a vital global waterway exposes a hollow hand. This isn't the endgame—it's escalation without an exit.
