Trump keeps open options for escalation with Iran after new US strikes

US President Donald Trump kept the options for escalation with Tehran open, stressing that US forces are ready to launch new strikes on Iran “at any time we want,” while a cautious calm prevailed yesterday after the most violent round of strikes in weeks.

Tehran raised the number of soldiers killed this week to at least 13, including six from the regular army, three of them pilots, four from the missile unit of the Revolutionary Guard, and three from the Basij.

Iranian media reported that the six soldiers were killed in southern Iran during Tuesday's strikes, while Basij members were killed on Lawan Island. The Guard announced the killing of four of its members in the west of the country.

Washington said that the strikes targeted military installations and missile and naval capabilities linked to the Revolutionary Guard near the Strait of Hormuz.

Yesterday (Thursday), hundreds of Iranians mourned four people who the authorities said were killed in a strike that hit a wedding site in Kohestak, including a four-year-old child. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmed Vahidi, renewed the threat of revenge, saying that the blood of those killed in Kohestak “will not be in vain.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon has extended the deployment of some forces to 2027, while keeping about 50,000 soldiers and 19 warships in the region.

US Vice President J.D. Vance said on Thursday that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has returned “almost” to its pre-war levels, and he considered that Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and use the Strait as a pressure card is declining.

Vance told reporters at the White House: “If we go back three months ago, how much oil and gas was passing through the Strait in light of the Iranian threats? Nothing really. “Now, it has almost returned to what it was before the outbreak of the conflict.”

He explained that about 15 million barrels of oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, despite the continued attacks, and he promised that the United States is still the only country capable of ensuring the continued flow of energy to global markets.

Vance attributed the rise in gasoline prices to Iranian attacks on commercial ships, saying: “The basic truth is that the reason gasoline prices are currently rising is because the Iranians are shooting at commercial shipping.”

He accused Tehran of continuing to target ships, despite previous pledges to stop attacks on them.

Speaking about Iran’s ability to control the Strait, Vance said: “I think they are losing their capabilities day by day.”

He added: “I think they also realize that their control over the Strait of Hormuz has effectively ended, and that the value of this card is declining.”

Tehran had announced the closure of the strait, after the outbreak of war last February, while Washington says that its forces have expanded operations to protect navigation and escort commercial ships through the passage.

Vance ruled out resuming talks with Iran, as long as attacks on shipping continue.

He said: “The president was very clear: We are not talking to them, and we will not talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial ships.”

Vance sent a direct message to Tehran, saying: “My advice to the Iranians is to stop acting crazy, and to stop shooting at commercial shipping.”

The Israeli army announced its work to complete the clearing of underground infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the Ali al-Tahir Heights area in southern Lebanon, indicating that its forces continue to work to neutralize these facilities.

The army said that the forces of the 36th Division recently worked to clear two underground tracks in the Ali Al-Taher Heights area, located within what it described as the “security zone,” and achieved “operational control” over the highlands area above and below ground.

He added that the forces cleared the area of ​​Hezbollah members, some of whom were killed, while others fled the area.

Underground facilities

According to the Israeli army, operations aimed at neutralizing the underground infrastructure, after clearing it of Hezbollah elements, are still continuing, and the army will redeploy defensively after the end of the activity, according to an assessment of the situation.

The army accused the members who were inside these facilities of working to implement plans against Israel and the army forces, noting that the operations carried out on these routes in recent weeks led to the neutralization of the ability to carry out attacks against the Israelis and the army forces from there.

The army said that it found operations rooms inside the underground infrastructure, rooms designated for combat equipment, and others for generators and accommodation, in addition to shower facilities and a kitchen, explaining that these equipments allowed Hezbollah members to manage the fighting and remain inside them for long periods.

The army described these facilities as “strategic infrastructure” built over two decades, and said they were planned and funded by the Iranian regime.

Continue operations

The Israeli army confirmed that its forces are continuing to work to clear what it calls the “security zone” in southern Lebanon, stressing that it will not allow Hezbollah to implement plans against it.

He added that any attempt by the party to carry out activity against its forces “will be confronted forcefully,” stressing at the same time its continued commitment to the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.