United States President Donald Trump has threatened additional attacks on Iran, stating that Washington could strike Iran "anytime we want" as the death toll from recent US strikes has risen to 18, with at least 108 others wounded. Trump's comments on Wednesday followed a significant exchange of military actions between the US and Iran, with US military strikes targeting cities along Iran's southern coast, including an attack on a wedding party in Kuhestak.
Iranian officials reported that at least 18 individuals were killed in the US strikes, including two children, according to Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, Iran’s health minister. One of the deceased was a four-year-old child from the wedding party attack in Kuhestak, which resulted in at least four fatalities.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the attack as a "war crime" and criticized US claims of not targeting civilians. He emphasized the reality of civilian casualties, stating, "The reality is so horrifying that even American propaganda has never dared make the claim [the US military] is making today."
The ongoing conflict has led to increased oil prices and political challenges for Trump's Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from August indicated that only 31 percent of Americans approve of the war, while 63 percent disapprove, with rising gas prices contributing to public dissatisfaction. Trump's approval rating has decreased from 40 percent to 33 percent since the conflict began.
On Wednesday, Trump expressed his belief that the military campaign would not be prolonged and reiterated that the upcoming elections were not influencing his strategy regarding Iran. He stated, "Number one, I’m not running. My party is running, and I’m going to help my party."
Tariq Khan, a retired Pakistani lieutenant-general, noted that the US is in a challenging strategic position in the Iran war, as it has not restored the maritime environment that existed prior to the conflict. He remarked that the US is now using military resources to address issues exacerbated by the war itself.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade, has seen reduced vessel traffic since the onset of the war. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that two oil tankers were disabled after striking mines while attempting unauthorized transit. Additionally, Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has blacklisted more vessels for alleged noncompliance with its regulations.
Meanwhile, the US has intensified its economic isolation campaign against Iran, threatening sanctions on countries that trade with Tehran while maintaining its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump asserted that the US has control over the strait, claiming that US forces are facilitating the transit of numerous vessels carrying oil.
Khan concluded that Iran aims to make the conflict costly for the US, suggesting that if Trump escalates military actions, Iran can depict the US as becoming further entrenched in another Middle Eastern war. Conversely, if Trump exercises restraint, Iran can claim that US military superiority cannot compel its surrender.