Trump threatens Iran with 'big attack' that could 'knock out stuff', says strikes possible tonight

ANKARA, TURKEY: At a NATO summit appearance on Wednesday, July 8, President Donald Trump sharply raised the stakes with Iran, signaling that fresh US military action could be imminent and suggesting any strike would be powerful enough to “knock out a lot of stuff.”

Standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump claimed Tehran had consistently misled negotiators and argued that the situation had reached a stage where “there’s not a thing they can do about it.”

Trump signals fresh military action 

Pressed on the latest developments involving Iran, Trump suggested another US operation could be imminent.

“I'll give them a little warning,” he told reporters. “We're going to hit them hard tonight, but we'll see how it all works out.”

He later doubled down, indicating that an even larger strike was under consideration.

“It may be a big attack, and it'll knock out a lot of stuff,” Trump said, adding that his confidence in diplomacy was fading. “My whole life is deals, and I don't see it with them.”

During his remarks, Trump argued that the United States has the capability to severely damage critical elements of Iran’s civilian infrastructure if it chose to escalate militarily.

He pointed to targets such as bridges, power systems and desalination facilities, while stressing that the US was holding back despite its strength.

“We're not attacking at the highest level,” Trump said, adding that bridges, electric plants and manufacturing facilities could be disabled if necessary.

“They have desalination plants. We'll take them out if we have to. I don't want to.” He further claimed Iran would be largely powerless to prevent such action. “There's not a thing they can do about it.”

Strait of Hormuz blockade back on the table

In addition to potential airstrikes, Trump outlined another pressure option that could hit Iran’s economy directly.

He said the administration is weighing the return of a naval blockade targeting Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while allowing ships from other countries to pass through.

“We may put back the blockade,” he said. “It'll only be a blockade for Iran.”

Trump noted that Iran could try to retaliate by laying naval mines, but claimed US forces have already been taking out small Iranian boats by methods tried and tested before.

Trump used the appearance to air frustration with ongoing diplomatic efforts, arguing that Iranian officials frequently walk back positions once talks conclude.

He claimed negotiations often seem productive in private, only to unravel once Iranian representatives speak publicly.

“I think we've made a lot of progress... they'll agree on everything, then they'll go have a news conference and say we never even talked about it,” he said.

Labeling the negotiating team “cuckoo,” Trump accused Tehran of repeatedly failing to follow through on commitments tied to denuclearization despite multiple rounds of discussions.

As questioning continued, Trump escalated his rhetoric with one of his most severe characterizations of Iran’s leadership.

“They're evil people. They're sick people. They're really mentally disturbed people,” he said.