TEHRAN / WASHINGTON: Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified after President Donald Trump ruled out an early ceasefire, warning that American strikes would continue as the conflict enters a new phase.
His remarks come as Iran maintains restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over regional security and global energy supplies.
Speaking during a televised cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump said the campaign against Tehran was progressing and warned that further strikes would follow.
“We just want to win,” Trump said, adding that the United States would continue “hitting them very hard” until Iran reaches a point where it can no longer sustain the conflict.
Responding to questions about expanding military action against Iran, Trump said, “We’re going big, we’ve already gone big,” while claiming that US operations had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
He compared the conflict with the Vietnam War, saying the current campaign had moved faster than previous US military engagements. Trump claimed Iran’s military capacity and manufacturing capabilities had suffered major damage.
“All they do is make me angry,” President Trump said on Iran, telling reporters during a Cabinet meeting Friday that he was “losing faith” in the ability to make a deal because “they do lie and they do misrepresent.”
He added that Iran “break their word so often.”… pic.twitter.com/LvYNt4CMHc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 31, 2026
Trump dismissed the possibility of meaningful negotiations with Tehran, accusing Iran of repeatedly failing to honour agreements.
Read More: US and Iran agree to stop attacks and resume talks
“They always want to talk, but they break their word so often,” he said, adding that he was losing confidence in Iran’s willingness to reach an understanding.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said the war was “going well” and claimed US forces were continuing to weaken Iran’s position.
He also announced plans for increased defence spending, saying he expected major investment in the US military in the coming year.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had stopped two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under what it described as US military air protection.
The IRGC said the vessels were halted after failing to comply with warnings, while other ships changed course and returned to previous routes.
Iran rejected claims by US Central Command that shipping through the strategic waterway was operating normally. Iranian officials said passage through the Strait of Hormuz would only be possible through coordination with Iranian naval forces.
Ship-tracking data showed a sharp reduction in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
According to Reuters, citing Kpler data, only a limited number of vessels passed through the waterway, with two large crude carriers among those that managed to exit.
The decline in shipping activity has raised concerns over possible disruptions to global energy supplies as tensions continue in the region.
Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, and its security is of utmost importance to us.
We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace.
The threat is clear, mutual, and fearful of Muslim solidarity.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 30, 2026
Iraq’s government said US and Saudi air strikes targeting Iran-backed groups inside Iraqi territory were carried out without prior approval from Baghdad.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said Iraq had not authorised attacks against specific locations or groups within its territory.
Washington and Riyadh said the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks by Iran-backed militants in the Gulf region.
Concerns over the conflict spreading beyond the Gulf grew after reports of a drone attack targeting vessels at Egypt’s Damietta port. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected any connection between Tehran and the attack, saying Egypt’s security remained important to Iran.
