Conflict Intensifies: Trump Threatens Total Destruction of Iran Regime
Iran has demonstrated greater resilience in the conflict with the United States and Israel than anticipated by Washington. US President Donald Trump has hardened his rhetoric in response.
“We will completely destroy the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and in every other way,” Trump wrote on his online platform, Truth Social.
According to Trump, Iran’s navy has been eliminated, its air force no longer exists, whilst missiles, drones, and all other weaponry will be destroyed. He also claimed Iranian leadership has been “wiped off the face of the Earth.”
Trump asserted that the United States possesses “unmatched firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time.”
The US President also called Iranian leadership members “disturbed bastards,” and stated it would be a “great honour” for him to kill them.
Trump has previously stated multiple times that war with Iran could end soon. However, attacks by Iran and its allied militias against Israel and other countries in the Middle East region continue unabated.
In a missile strike early Friday morning, dozens were injured in Sarsar in northern Israel, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. Several homes in the city, located near Nazareth, sustained damage.
The Gulf states have again become targets of attack. Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted numerous drones. In Oman, two people were reported killed after drones fell. In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, debris from projectiles fell and struck a building near the financial centre.
In an attack in the Kurdish region of Erbil in northern Iraq, a French military member was killed. French President Emmanuel Macron stated the attack was “unacceptable.” He added, “War in Iran cannot be used as justification for attacks like this.”
The US military also lost a tanker aircraft in Iraq. However, US military command asserted the incident was not the result of enemy fire or friendly fire. Four crew members died. Conversely, an Iran-backed militia claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft.
Israel targets infrastructure
Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched a new wave of attacks against Iran’s capital, Tehran. According to Israeli military sources, the strikes targeted infrastructure belonging to the “terrorist regime.”
Israel also again attacked targets in Lebanon to weaken the Hezbollah militia. The Srarieh Bridge over the Litani River was also bombed.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that all current American military resources are directed towards destroying Iran’s offensive capacity, including regarding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He acknowledged that the US is not yet capable of escorting tankers through the strait, but the US Navy is expected to become capable soon.
US relaxes Russian oil sanctions
With oil prices around 100 dollars per barrel, the Trump administration granted temporary permission for Russian oil purchases. This temporary exception from US sanctions applies until 11 April.
This allows Russia, which has been conducting war against Ukraine for over four years, to at least temporarily increase revenue from its crude oil sales.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Washington’s decision. “Relaxing sanctions now, for whatever reason, we believe is the wrong step,” Merz said whilst visiting Norway.
Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev wrote on Telegram that the move demonstrates recognition of a reality: “The US essentially acknowledges what is clear—without Russian oil, the global energy market cannot remain stable.”