US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has prolonged the agreement talks regarding the Middle East conflict for too long and that the country will now pay the price.
In a social media post, Trump claimed that the Iranian military has been "completely defeated." In the same message, he wrote that Tehran did not accept a deal that would have been "very good" for him in a timely manner.
In a phone interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, President Trump also said there had been no progress in peace talks. He added that because of this, they may have moved closer to certain targets in Iran, such as energy facilities and bridges.
These remarks contrast in tone with a message Trump gave to reporters the day before. On Tuesday, he had said that negotiations to permanently end the war were in their final stages and could be completed within two or three days.
In another post on Wednesday, Trump praised the naval blockade against Iran. He described the blockade as one of the "most successful" measures in history, claiming it stopped Iran’s trade and prevented the payment of military salaries.
In the same message, he said other countries were still exporting "too much oil." Trump ended his post with the phrase "Thank God!"
These statements come amid a period of escalating reciprocal attacks between the US and Iran. On Wednesday morning, the US launched airstrikes against Iran; in response, Tehran carried out retaliatory attacks against some countries in the region.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed they used long-range missiles and hit and destroyed four major targets in Jordan. The state news agency IRNA reported that among the targets were shelters for F-35 fighter jets at an airbase and the US command center in Al-Azraq.
Jordan announced it intercepted the incoming missiles. The Jordanian Armed Forces reported that five missiles launched from Iran toward Al-Azraq were shot down, with debris falling to the ground but no casualties or material damage.
An announcement by Jordan’s state agency Petra also noted that explosives experts examined the fallen debris. It was recalled that a significant airbase near Azraq hosts various squadrons of the Jordanian Air Force.
The Kuwaiti military also stated that its air defenses faced "hostile aerial targets." While the aggressor was not immediately named, it was noted that Iran has recently carried out deadly attacks against the country.
The Bahrain Defense Forces announced that some missiles were successfully intercepted. The statement accused Iran of continuing its "systematic hostile approach" with illegal missile and drone attacks targeting civilians.
