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President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that the United States is prepared to launch a significantly larger military assault on Iran if Tehran does not comply with the terms of an emerging agreement.
In a late-night Truth Social post, the president said U.S. forces deployed to the Middle East will remain in place until Iran fully upholds its commitments.
“All US Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with,” the president wrote.
“If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’” he added, warning any renewed military action would be “bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.”
President Trump reiterated that the agreement includes prohibitions on Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and requires the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
The comments come as U.S. and Iranian officials prepare for negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, focused on ending the conflict. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the U.S. delegation in talks scheduled for Saturday.
A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is currently in effect, temporarily halting hostilities after weeks of fighting that disrupted energy markets and heightened regional tensions.
The president has indicated that a proposal from Iran could serve as a starting point for negotiations, though details of any agreement remain under discussion.
At the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said U.S. forces remain prepared to resume combat operations if necessary.
“A cease-fire is a pause and the joint force remains ready if ordered or called upon to resume combat operations with the same speed and precision as we’ve demonstrated over the last 38 days,” Caine said. “And we hope that that is not the case.”