Iran claims attack on U.S. airbase amid ceasefire tensions
A new flareup in the Middle East is raising concerns about the future of the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
(NBC)- A new flareup in the Middle East is raising concerns about the future of the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed Thursday morning that it targeted a U.S. airbase.
The Pentagon has not confirmed the claim.
Iran says the base was used by the U.S. military to launch new strikes that a U.S. official told NBC News destroyed four Iranian drones and a ground control station in southern Iran.
President Donald Trump, speaking during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, suggested additional military action could follow if negotiations collapse.
“They’re negotiating on fumes,” Trump said. “But we’ll see what happens. Maybe we have to go back and finish it, maybe we don’t.”
The U.S. official who spoke with NBC News said the latest strikes do not mean the ceasefire has ended, describing the attacks as limited and defensive actions aimed at protecting American forces near the Strait of Hormuz.
Still, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that “aggression will not go unanswered” and threatened a stronger response.
Trump has continued insisting Iran still wants a deal, but says he will reject any agreement that allows Tehran to control the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Strait will open immediately — immediately — but it’s gotta be perfect,” Trump said. “I’m not going to do this — I didn’t do this to get a crummy agreement.”
The Trump administration also announced new sanctions overnight targeting the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which Iran established to collect tolls from ships moving through the Strait.
As energy costs continue rising, public opinion polls show growing opposition among American voters to the war.
But Trump insisted political concerns surrounding the upcoming midterm elections are not influencing his decisions.
“They thought they were going to out-wait me,” Trump said. “‘We’ll out-wait him, he’s got the midterms.’ I don’t care about the midterms.”
The president also pointed to recent primary victories by candidates he endorsed as evidence of his continued political strength.
