Ankara: The US will "probably" hit Iran again on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump warned, following recent US strikes against Tehran in response to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "We hit them very hard last night, very, very. Probably hit them hard again tonight. I'll give him a little warning. We're going to hit him hard tonight," Trump stated during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump emphasized that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons and declared the previously signed memorandum of understanding with Iran as 'over.' When asked if the framework deal was dead, Trump remarked, "It's a very interesting question to me. I think it's over," clarifying that his focus remains on "denuking or denuclearization" rather than regime change.
Trump disclosed that the US had attacked Iran's Kharg Island on Tuesday night, indicating plans to potentially take control of the area. "We knocked out a piece. I said: 'Don't touch the oil, because maybe we'll take over Kharg Island. We may take over Kharg Island'," he commented, further warning Iran of a possible 'big attack.' He added that the US knocked out about 28 Iranian boats and hinted at more action, stating, "Normally I wouldn't tell you, but there's not a thing they can do about it. So, the answer is probably." Additionally, Trump announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran.
During the meeting, Trump expressed his honor in meeting Zelenskyy, noting that both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin desire a settlement. "He wants to see a settlement, and I think (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin wants to see a settlement," Trump said, adding that Putin is eager to end the war. He mentioned discussions with Putin about ending the conflict and confirmed the development of a 'security package' for Ukraine to prevent future attacks, including licensing Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles.
Zelenskyy conveyed gratitude to Trump and the American people for their support, highlighting the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List program. He expressed Ukraine's enthusiasm for a "Drone Deal" with the US and discussed shifting focus from manpower to technology in the war, stating, "We are trying to move this war to the sky from the battlefield. That's why we now began to control (the) battlefield."
Trump praised the NATO summit hosted by Trkiye, describing it as a "great meeting" and expressed a willingness to visit Ukraine post-conflict. He also mentioned Ukraine's economic prospects, particularly its potential in the rare earth minerals sector, suggesting a future collaboration with the US.