live Trump says U.S. could strike Iran ‘hard’ as Tehran warns of economic fallout- Middle East conflict

Trump says U.S. could strike Iran ‘hard’ as Tehran warns of economic fallout- Middle East conflict
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, 15 May, 2026.
Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.

⦿ 03:40 GMT | UPDATE

Hezbollah reports new attacks on Israeli forces

Anadolu

Hezbollah said that it had carried out 33 attacks targeting Israeli forces, military positions, and vehicles in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

The group said the attacks were carried out in response to continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement and attacks on civilians and areas in southern Lebanon.

In separate statements, Hezbollah said the attacks targeted Israeli troop and vehicle gatherings in the towns of Rashaf, Qouzah, and Hadatha.

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Marjeyoun, Lebanon, 15 May, 2026.
Reuters
⦿ 03:16 GMT | UPDATE

Iran’s foreign minister warns U.S. of rising economic costs

Anadolu

The U.S. will face growing economic consequences from its “war of choice” on Iran, the Iranian foreign minister warned Saturday.

Abbas Araghchi said on X that Americans would be forced to bear the rising costs of a conflict with Tehran.

⦿ 02:49 GMT | UPDATE

UAE says it needs no external protection

Anadolu

The United Arab Emirates said that it does not seek protection from any party and is capable of deterring aggression, while reaffirming its right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The remarks were made by Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar during a meeting of BRICS bloc foreign ministers in New Delhi. 

Al Marar rejected Iranian accusations and criticism directed at the UAE and dismissed attempts to justify attacks targeting the country and others in the region. 

⦿ 02:40 GMT | UPDATE

Trump claims U.S. can 'knock everything out in two days' in Iran 

Anadolu

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington could rapidly destroy Iranian infrastructure, while insisting he had not underestimated Tehran's resilience in the war.

"I didn't underestimate anything. We hit them unbelievably hard," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

He added that the U.S. "left their bridges, we left their electricity capacity. We can knock that all out in two days. Everything."

Trump described repeated breakdowns in diplomacy with Iran, saying negotiations had become unreliable and unpredictable.

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