Trump threatens more strikes as death toll in Iran rises to 18 - aljazeera.com

**Trump Threatens Additional Strikes as Iranian Death Toll Rises to 18**

Washington — In a series of televised remarks on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced that the United States is prepared to launch further strikes against Iran “anytime we want” after a “very heavy attack” that he said had already been carried out. The latest U.S. offensive, which targeted Iranian military installations in the Persian Gulf region, was confirmed by the Pentagon to have involved a combination of cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems. Iranian authorities reported that the attacks left at least 18 people dead, a figure that includes both military personnel and civilians, according to Al Jazeera.

During a press briefing, Trump boasted that the United States now possesses “near‑total surveillance” over Iran, claiming that even the most basic movements of Iranian officials could be monitored. He added that the current campaign would be brief, suggesting that the escalation was intended to pressure Tehran into curbing its regional activities. The former president’s statements were echoed by a CBS News correspondent, who quoted Trump as saying the U.S. “prepared to strike Iran anytime we want” and that the recent operation was only the beginning of a larger strategy.

The heightened rhetoric has reverberated through global markets, with Bloomberg reporting a three‑day gain in oil prices as traders weigh the risk of further disruption to Gulf shipping lanes. Regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, expressed tacit approval of the U.S. posture, while European capitals called for restraint and diplomatic engagement. Analysts warned that a continued escalation could destabilize an already volatile Middle East and potentially draw NATO members into a broader conflict, underscoring the delicate balance between deterrence and provocation.