Completely decimate and destroy, said U.S. President Donald Trump, following a report by Israel that claimed Iran was plotting to assassinate him. Taking to social media, Trump has threatened to launch thousands of missiles at Iran should it try to attack him.
“1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to as- sassinate, or attempt to assassi- nate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” he said.
“Orders have already been given, and the “U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran, he added”.
Amidst rising tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the United States over its failure to uphold the interim agreement, warning that the administration’s actions demonstrate a clear breach of established commitments.
“Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called US Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU,” he wrote on X. “The violation follows other violations and missteps by the United States,” Araghchi said. According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, any US breach of its commitments under the MoU will be met with “reciprocal action”.
According to the latest data from ship tracking firm commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was down for the third night in a row between July 9 and 10.
It says only six vessels crossed the waterway within a 12-hour window, compared with the 18 to 22 that normally crossed only a few days ago.
Additionally the report added a 40% rise in ‘dark transits”, where vessels turned off their transponder to hide their location while passing through the strategic waterways. Trump, is demanding Iran issue a public statement today pledging safe passage and a halt to attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials.
Elsewhere in Lebanon, Israeli attacks have caused catastrophic destruction across the region. The attacks have also severely damaged historic landmarks, including the ancient city of Tyre, which is recognized as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements.
Israel’s military claims to have killed a Hezbollah fighter on Friday near an underground tunnel shaft at Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, in an area where Israeli forces have declared a “security zone”.
Earlier on Friday, a military delegation form the US arrieved in Lebanon to help implement a framework agreement aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Two senior Lebanese officials confirmed the arrival of US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) in Beirut on Friday ahead of technical talks between Lebanon and Israel scheduled in Rome next week.
The discussions will focus on implementing a US-sponsored framework agreement reached on June 26, providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.