In one of his harshest statements in recent times, the US president claimed that Iran could be “neutralized overnight”, adding meaningfully that “this night may be tomorrow”. This phrase, spoken in front of journalists in , captures the dramatic escalation of Washington’s rhetoric towards Tehran.
The US president directly linked his threats to the ultimatum he has set for an agreement on the opening of sea lanes, warning that the United States is ready to respond otherwise.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the heaviest amount of strikes since the first day of operations against Iran would take place tonight, and he warned that there would be more strikes on Tuesday.
The “historic” rescue operation
The press conference began on a celebratory note, as Trump praised her. He called it “one of the most complex and dangerous search and rescue missions the US military has ever attempted.”
According to him, this operation is proof of the US strategic principle that “no American is left behind”. The decision to carry out the mission, he said, was made under extremely adverse conditions, with a real risk of mass casualties.
A plan that almost fell apart
Despite eventual success, the business was on the brink of failure. Two MC-130 transport aircraft carrying about 100 special forces personnel to Tehran suffered mechanical failure and could not take off.
This development created the immediate danger of trapping the commandos behind enemy lines. Commanders were forced to make an extremely risky decision: to send additional aircraft into Iranian airspace in order to phase out the forces.
The pressure strategy towards Tehran
The rescue operation is part of a wider context of military and political pressure on Iran. Washington is seeking to impose conditions on the security of international sea lanes, with particular emphasis on the critical passage of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s public stance, with clear threats of immediate military action, heightens the climate of tension and leaves open the possibility of a sudden escalation. The message to Tehran is clear: Diplomacy will now be accompanied by the threat of immediate military intervention.
Donald Trump also said he sent weapons to protesters in Iran, but assured them they were stolen by “a certain group of people”, after accusing the Kurds on Sunday of doing so.
“We sent weapons, a lot of weapons, that were supposed to go to (the Iranians) so they could fight these crooks,” the authorities, the US president said on the sidelines of an Easter celebration at the White House, adding: “You know what happened? The people we sent them to kept them. So I’m very angry with a certain group of people and they’re going to pay a heavy price for that.”
On Sunday, Donald Trump accused the Kurds of taking weapons intended for protesters in a phone conversation with a Fox News reporter, who then relayed the president’s comments to the network.
Between prevention and the risk of ignition
The double image presented by the American president – on the one hand the success of a bold military mission and on the other the threat of a total attack – reflects the strategic balance that Washington is trying to maintain.
However, the intensity of the rhetoric and the high level of operational activity increase the risk of a mistake or an uncontrolled development. In an environment already burdened by geopolitical conflict, the next move may determine not only the US-Iran relationship, but overall stability in the wider region.
Trump threatened a reporter with jail if he didn’t reveal his source
US President Donald Trump was clearly upset about the leak to the press about the existence of a missing airman in Iran, after the downing of an F-15 fighter jet, during the press conference he gave at the White House.
He did not hesitate to threaten the journalist who leaked the news with jail if he refused to reveal his source, citing reasons of national security.
Trump pointed out that the Iranians did not know there was a “missing person” and the leak of the news jeopardized the massive operation set up to locate and rescue him.
