Iran won’t exist: Trump

FRESH THREATS | US bases will experience hell, warns Tehran

It is very possible that they will never learn! 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. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!

Donald Trump, US President

Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has warned Iran would “no longer exist” if Washington was forced to resume the war, following fresh US strikes on Iranian military targets he said were in response to repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.

On Truth Social, Trump said US aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar installations after Tehran alle­gedly breached the ceasefire.

Iran responded with a sharp warning, saying US military bases in the Gulf would “experience hell” in the coming days. The commander of the IRGC Navy said US strikes on Sirik, near the strait, would not weaken Iran’s control over the waterway. “American blind shots at Sirik do not solve the mystery of our control over the Strait of Hormuz, but our shots at violators remind other vessels of the terms of passage through the waterway,” the commander said, as per Reuters.

“The reckoning for Ameri­can bases in the region is a separate matter. They will experience hell in the coming days,” he added.

POTUS urges Syria to confront Hezbollah 

Trump has proposed Syria, rather than Israel, take on Hezbollah, suggesting the country’s new Islamist-led government is better placed to weaken the Iran-backed militant group. The proposal has raised concerns in Lebanon and Israel. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa rejected the idea, saying he had no intention of confronting Hezbollah.

Bibi: Lebanon accord paves way for peace 

Israeli PM Benjamin Netan­yahu said the US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon could help end the conflict and pave the way for peace. 

He said the pact strength­e­n­ed both countries while weakening Iran and Hezbollah.  Netanyahu said the US and Lebanon recognised Israel’s right to maintain a “security zone” in southern Lebanon until its security concerns were addressed. 

He added Israeli forces would remain there until Hezbollah and other “terror” groups were disarmed. A pilot programme will dismantle Hezbollah positions in two areas before transferring control to the Lebanese army.

He claimed Israel has killed over 9,000 Hezbollah militants and destroyed 90% of the group’s stockpile of 1,50,000 missiles and rockets.

‘heritage sites in Lebanon damaged’ 

Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah has damaged or destroyed heritage sites in southern Lebanon, Culture Minister Ghassan Salame said, adding, ancient ruins in the Unesco-listed Tyre, historic markets in Nab­a­tieh and centuries-old bor­der villages suffered extensive damage. He urged greater international protection.

Pak, Bahrain discuss regional situation 

Pakistan’s Dy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bah­rain Foreign Minister Abdu­llatif bin Rashid Al Zayani discussed the latest regional situation amid renewed tensions in West Asia. Al Zayani appreciated Paki­stan’s diplomatic efforts, while Dar reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to dialogue and regional peace, the Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.

–Agencies