Trump jokes about bombing Iran again as US diverts 68 ships at Hormuz
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
President Donald Trump joked on August 22 that he could "bomb Iran a little more," saying the US has "plenty of time." The remark came as US forces diverted 68 commercial vessels at the Strait of Hormuz to enforce the blockade of Iran.
Key Facts
- US forces at the Strait of Hormuz diverted 68 commercial ships, disabled 3, and boarded 2 as of August 21 to enforce the blockade of Iran, according to CENTCOM.
- Trump said the US has "plenty of time" and asked, "What the hell else am I supposed to do? Go back and bomb Iran a little more?"
- Trump expressed doubt about a deal with Iran, saying, "We don't even know if we need this deal," amid a freeze in negotiations and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- The foreign ministers of Oman and Iran discussed resuming free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call, Oman's state news agency ONA reported.
Trump's Military Remarks
President Donald Trump joked on August 22 that he could "bomb Iran a little more," saying the US has "plenty of time." He asked, "What the hell else am I supposed to do? Go back and bomb Iran a little more?" Trump said the shift to economic warfare against Tehran does not mean the US is abandoning military options. He previously announced an economic operation against Iran, calling it an "isolation of unprecedented scale" and urging allies to join Washington.
Deal Doubts and Diplomacy
Trump questioned the value of a deal with Iran, saying, "We don't even know if we need this deal." Earlier in August, Trump said the US is not negotiating and does not plan to negotiate with Iran. Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said Tehran is ready for talks with Washington but maintains the highest level of combat readiness and considers worst-case scenarios. Trump said Iran wants a deal but is not ready for the "right deal," without explaining what that means. The foreign ministers of Oman and Iran discussed resuming free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call, according to Oman's state news agency ONA.
Hormuz Blockade Enforcement
US forces at the Strait of Hormuz diverted 68 commercial ships, disabled 3, and boarded 2 as of August 21 to enforce the blockade of Iran, CENTCOM reported. The blockade is part of the economic operation Trump announced against Iran. Oman and Iran's foreign ministers stressed the importance of continuing negotiations to achieve practical agreements that restore freedom of navigation and regional security.
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Trump jokes about bombing Iran again as US diverts 68 ships at Hormuz
