Trump says US "Hammering Iran" to Ease Shipping Concerns

President Trump has provided an update on the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran, describing it as continuing in full force over the past several days.

He claimed significant successes, including striking more than 7,000 targets across Iran, decimating the country's anti-aircraft equipment, and achieving a 95% reduction in Iran's drone attack capabilities.

Trump emphasized that Iran's missile and drone manufacturing plants have been heavily targeted, leaving the country with few missiles remaining and severely hampered ability to produce more: "hammering Iran's ability to threaten shipping."

Trump highlighted specific actions against Iran's naval and strategic assets, noting the destruction of more than 30 mine-laying ships and strikes on Kharg Island - described as largely destroyed except for the oil pipes area.

He warned that with one simple order, the remaining oil infrastructure there could be eliminated, underscoring efforts to undermine Iran's capacity to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 

He expressed uncertainty about whether mines have already been deployed in the strait and strongly urged other nations, including China and Japan, to assist in securing the waterway, noting that some countries have shown little enthusiasm for helping.

These comments reflect Trump's portrayal of a highly effective and intensifying operation amid the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, while shifting some responsibility for regional stability to international partners.

Hormuz 'Selected Disruption'

The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis remain in a tense selective-disruption phase rather than full closure, with Brent crude pulling back today (around $102 after earlier spikes) as markets digest weekend strikes and fresh US comments. The US precision bombing on Kharg Island hit only military assets (mines, missiles, air defenses) - leaving the oil export terminal (up to 90% of Iran's loadings) untouched and operational. As Rabobank notes, "Trump was at pains to be clear that oil infrastructure was not targeted, but the implicit threat that it could be is an unsubtle one," with Trump later joking about further strikes "just for fun."