WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying the United States may be forced to “militarily complete the job” if hostilities continue, following fresh reported strikes on Iranian targets.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that US aircraft had struck missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, in response to alleged repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 27, 2026
He stated that Iran had “violated the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN,” adding that continued aggression could prompt a much broader military response.
“It is very possible that they will never learn,” Trump wrote. “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started.”
He further warned that, should the situation escalate, “the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist,” signalling a highly confrontational stance and raising concerns over potential regional escalation.
The comments come amid heightened tensions and renewed exchanges of strikes, with diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire appearing increasingly fragile.
The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes late Friday, escalating tensions and placing fresh strain on a ceasefire as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The latest confrontation followed a US accusation that Iran had attacked a commercial cargo vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, an incident Washington said breached the ceasefire agreement reached after months of fighting.
US launches retaliatory strikes
US Central Command on Saturday said American forces targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, along with coastal radar installations, in response to what it described as an “unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping.”
According to the US military, the operation was intended as a direct response to the reported attack on the commercial vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it “a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement.” Vice President JD Vance also warned Tehran against further military action, saying any additional attacks would be met with force.
Iran responds
Hours later, Iranian state television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched retaliatory strikes against US positions in the Gulf region.
The Guards said the operation was carried out in response to the American attacks and warned that any further military action by the United States would trigger a broader response.
Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
The exchange has renewed concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, through which around one-fifth of global oil and gas exports normally pass.
The latest violence comes as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at securing a permanent settlement to the conflict that began on February 28.
Iran has warned vessels against entering or leaving the Gulf without its authorisation, although commercial traffic has continued.
Shipping data showed that many vessels have altered their routes, with a significant number sailing closer to Oman’s coastline instead of using Tehran’s preferred navigation corridor.
The UN’s maritime agency said an evacuation operation had previously helped more than 2,500 seafarers and 115 vessels leave the affected area before the latest hostilities forced the operation to be suspended.
