WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened more military strikes against Iran, saying the United States would hit the country “very hard tonight” and would take control of Iranian oil and gas infrastructure, including the strategic Kharg Island oil export hub.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US would hit Iran “VERY HARD, TONIGHT”, claiming that most of Iran’s offensive capacity had been destroyed.
The US President also said the US would seize Kharg, an island in the Gulf that handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports and hosts vast storage facilities.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets,” Trump said.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2026
Later, the US President told Fox News that he would rather avoid hitting Iranian bridges and power plants, despite having threatened to do so earlier in the week.
Iran and the US have traded strikes for two consecutive days, triggered by the downing of a US helicopter above the Strait of Hormuz.
The ceasefire, announced on April 8, has been undermined by sporadic retaliatory strikes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the truce.
Trump said Thursday’s assault was prompted by Iran stalling in negotiations aimed at turning the temporary ceasefire into a permanent peace.
The US military said it also struck an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz that it claimed was attempting to breach a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran launched missiles and drones at Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan on Thursday, as it had the previous morning.
Pakistan intensifies diplomatic outreach
Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan stepped up its diplomatic outreach on Thursday as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Türkiye, discussing ongoing efforts to preserve regional stability.
In his conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, both sides reviewed the prevailing regional situation and emphasised the importance of continued dialogue, restraint, and sustained diplomatic engagement.
The two foreign ministers stressed that diplomacy remains essential for addressing ongoing tensions and promoting stability in the region.
FM Abdelatty appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts in supporting mediation initiatives and promoting dialogue between relevant parties. Both leaders expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic efforts would help facilitate an early understanding among concerned parties, contributing to durable peace and long-term regional stability.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation today with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
They discussed regional developments and stressed the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement. FM… pic.twitter.com/robrhq6M1r
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 11, 2026
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The two leaders reviewed the evolving regional situation and stressed the importance of dialogue, restraint, and diplomatic engagement as key tools for ensuring peace and stability.
Both sides expressed hope for an early and mutually acceptable understanding among all concerned parties, which they said would contribute significantly to lasting peace and stability in the region.
The two foreign ministers also agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues of shared interest and to continue high-level engagements aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted Pakistan–Türkiye partnership.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Türkiye @HakanFidan last night.
They discussed the evolving regional situation and underscored the importance of dialogue, and restraint. Both… pic.twitter.com/g4rCzzhoSL
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 11, 2026
Saudi Arabia calls for continuation of negotiations
Saudi Arabia on Thursday called for the continuation of Pakistan-sponsored negotiations between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to return to diplomacy and avoid further escalation.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, expressed Saudi Arabia’s strongest condemnation of the repeated Iranian attacks targeting Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and of the continued violations of the sovereignty of these states, which further escalate tensions in the region.
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strongest condemnation of the repeated Iranian attacks targeting the brotherly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain, and the brotherly State of Kuwait, and of the continued… pic.twitter.com/LkPc61IdHe
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 11, 2026
The Kingdom called for de-escalation, the avoidance of any further escalation, and the exercise of wisdom by returning to diplomatic engagement and continuing the constructive negotiations sponsored by Pakistan, along with the accompanying efforts of Qatar, in a manner that spares the region and its peoples the consequences of the return of war and contributes to the restoration of security and stability in the region and the world.
