▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on June 11 (local time) that the United States would carry out airstrikes against Iran for the third consecutive day.
President Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on the morning of June 11, "Tonight, the United States will strike Iran very hard, as they have lost their navy, air force, radar, air defense, and most other forms of defensive and offensive capabilities."
President Trump had already ordered retaliatory airstrikes on June 9 and 10 after a U.S. Army Apache helicopter was shot down by an Iranian drone attack on June 8. This latest announcement signals a third straight day of military action.
The move is interpreted as an effort to emphasize that any attacks on U.S. assets will result in severe consequences, while simultaneously pressuring Iran—which has been stalling in peace negotiations—to fully accept U.S. demands and reach an agreement.
President Trump specifically threatened to seize Iran's energy hubs.
"At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will take Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure hubs, and we will take full control of their oil and gas markets," he stated.
Kharg Island is Iran's largest crude oil export terminal.
President Trump cited the surprise military operation in Venezuela in early January of this year, which ousted President Nicolás Maduro and allowed the U.S. to take control of Venezuela's oil production and exports, as the model for this plan.
President Trump emphasized that this Venezuelan case "is working out great for both Venezuela and the United States."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.