United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran that Washington could launch fresh military strikes if Tehran fails to stop Hezbollah operations in Lebanon.
Trump issued the warning in a post on Truth Social on Sunday amid ongoing tensions surrounding the implementation of a recently signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing hostilities in the region.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump wrote.
The warning comes as negotiations between US and Iranian officials continue in Switzerland, where both sides are discussing the implementation of the interim agreement and broader issues relating to regional security and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump’s comments were directed at Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group backed by Iran, which has remained involved in clashes linked to ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon.
The issue has emerged as one of the key challenges facing efforts to preserve the agreement reached earlier this month.
The latest threat follows a series of warnings by the US president that military action could resume if Iran fails to comply with the terms of ongoing negotiations.
Last week, Trump said Washington could return to military operations if he was dissatisfied with the implementation of the agreement.
The statement also comes days after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced restrictions on movement through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and international shipping.
(The Whistler)