CAIRO (AP) — The White House indicated on Friday that President Donald Trump is considering new military strikes on Iran as the U.S. urges Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and comply with a recently collapsed truce agreement. Although there were no U.S. strikes on Iran overnight, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reported attacking two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait announced it intercepted drones.
Hamas confirmed on Friday that it plans to disarm, which could signal progress toward ending the conflict in Gaza, although significant challenges remain.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed frustration over Iran's actions, stating that Tehran had previously signed a truce but subsequently violated it by attacking commercial ships and resulting in American casualties. Leavitt stated, "President Trump is not going to stand by and allow this terrorist behavior to occur. Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way."
Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters, "We just want to win" in Iran, suggesting that U.S. military actions would persist. He added, "We’ll be hitting them very hard. You know, at some point they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’"
In related developments, Iran reportedly fired drones at Kuwait, which hosts U.S. forces, and claimed to have targeted oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments. Kuwait's Defense Ministry stated that its armed forces shot down drones within its airspace, noting that the Iranian attacks targeted military facilities but did not result in casualties. Iranian state media claimed that the attacks were in retaliation for U.S. strikes.
In Gaza, Hamas announced it would begin disarming as part of a deal that also requires Israel to cease its strikes and withdraw from the region. However, Hamas stated that the disarmament of heavy weapons would depend on the establishment of a Palestinian state, which the current Israeli government opposes.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that over 73,000 Palestinians have died since the outbreak of hostilities following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
In other regional news, Saudi Arabia announced a defense alliance of 14 countries aimed at enhancing maritime security and protecting trade routes in the Red Sea, amid disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. The coalition is described as defensive in nature, with access open to all willing countries.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions regarding the ceasefire and the potential for further military actions.