Trump threatens more strikes as death toll in Iran rises to 18 - Al Jazeera

**Trump Threatens Additional Strikes as Iran Death Toll Climbs to 18**

*Washington –* The death toll in Iran rose to 18 on Monday after a series of incidents that U.S. officials say are linked to Iranian-backed militia activity in the region, according to Al Jazeera. The fatalities, which include several civilians and two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, were reported following a series of cross‑border explosions and drone attacks that have heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. The United States, which has been monitoring Iranian movements closely, has warned that further American strikes could be forthcoming if the pattern of aggression continues.

Former President Donald Trump, speaking at a press briefing and in a syndicated interview, reiterated the possibility of “more strikes” against Iranian targets, while emphasizing that any renewed U.S. campaign would be “short‑lived.” He told reporters, “I don’t think it will go on for a long time; we’ll hit them hard and then we’ll step back.” Trump also boasted that U.S. surveillance capabilities are so extensive that Iranian operatives “can’t go to the bathroom without us seeing it,” a claim echoed in a Firstpost report. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump asserted that the United States is **not** attempting to force Iran back to the negotiating table, a stance highlighted in a Forbes article that quoted him saying, “We’re not trying to make them bargain; we’re just protecting our interests.”

Iranian officials have condemned the U.S. threats as “unwarranted intimidation” and warned that any further American strikes would constitute a violation of Iran’s sovereignty. The United Nations and several European capitals have called for restraint, urging both sides to pursue diplomatic channels to de‑escalate the situation. Analysts note that while Trump’s statements are consistent with his previous hard‑line posture on Iran, they diverge from the current administration’s more measured approach, raising concerns about potential misalignment in U.S. policy toward the region. The evolving standoff underscores the fragile security environment in the Middle East and the risk that a cycle of retaliation could expand beyond the immediate theater.