Donald Trump has shared a bizarre image of a US ship downing an Iranian jet using lasers. The US President published what looks like another threat to Iran on Truth Social today (May 8).
The image came after another threat, issued yesterday, to bomb Iran “at a much higher level and intensity” if they break from the terms agreed with the US to end the ongoing war.
Mr Trump previously said that the US blockade would also “allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran”. He added: “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.”
Tensions are high in the Strait of Hormuz as the Iranian state media said the country’s armed forces had exchanged fire with “the enemy” on Qeshm Island while explosions were also reported elsewhere.
Mr Trump branded the Iranian official as “lunatics” after three US destroyers were targeted by missiles, drones and small boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said the “unprovoked” attacks were successfully intercepted and none of the warships were hit. In response, strikes were carried out against the “Iranian military facilities responsible”, including launch sites and command and control centres.
Despite the violence, Mr Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was holding. “They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” he said, before telling reporters: “They have to understand – if it (a deal) doesn’t get signed, they’re going to have a lot of pain.”
Asked how close a US deal with Iran was, Mr Trump said: “It could happen any day,” before adding, “and it might not happen”.
The president said this week he paused a separate, short-lived naval mission to reopen the strait to shipping because of the “great progress” being made in the peace talks.
But it has since been reported Saudi Arabia opposed the operation and refused permission for US planes to use its bases and airspace.
The sea route, which is a major supply line for oil and gas supplies, had been open prior to the US and Israel launching strikes against Iran at the end of February. In retaliation, Tehran effectively closed the shipping lane, sparking a global energy crisis that has seen prices rocket. This led the US to impose its own blockade of Iranian ports, leading to a stand-off.
