Trump again threatens Iran with warning it will 'no longer exist': What to know - USA Today

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating the Islamic Republic 'will no longer exist' if the United States is forced to 'militarily complete the job' after recent escalations. This fiery threat came just after American aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar facilities, which the US claimed were in response to Iran repeatedly breaking a fragile ceasefire deal. In a swift retaliation, Iran elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched drone and ballistic missile attacks against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, further ratcheting up already explosive regional tensions. The current wave of hostilities highlights the instability of an interim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier this month, which aimed to halt fighting and ensure free passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, insists on its sole control over the waterway, a crucial passage for global oil and gas. The US has accused Tehran of violating the ceasefire by attacking commercial ships, including the Panama-flagged tanker Kiku and a Singapore-flagged vessel, that were using a newly proposed route near Oman. These attacks, coupled with the targeting of Gulf states, including one fatality in Kuwait and residential damage in Bahrain, underscore how quickly the situation can spiral in the volatile Middle East. Looking ahead, there's a glimmer of hope as a US official indicated that both sides have agreed to pause recent hostilities and will resume technical talks on the Strait of Hormuz in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. However, Iran foreign minister has warned that negotiations could be completely halted if US military actions continue, suggesting a very delicate path forward. All eyes will be on these discussions to see if a more lasting calm can be found, or if the region will plunge into further conflict over the vital shipping lanes.