Donald Trump has issued new threats against Iran, warning that every time Tehran “kills an American soldier, they will pay many times over for that killing!” The U.S. president posted the warning on social media, stating that “this order has been conveyed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and every military commander.”
Donald Trump’s post
“Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay many times over for that killing! This order has been conveyed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and every military commander.
President Donald J. Trump.”
Trump’s statement comes in the wake of reports suggesting that the U.S. military is concealing information about wounded soldiers, following CENTCOM‘s announcement regarding the two American military personnel killed in Jordan. The Pentagon confirmed the deaths of three American service members over the weekend — two at a military base in Jordan and one in northern Iraq. U.S. forces are also continuing to examine human remains found at the site of the Jordan attack, suggesting the death toll may yet rise.
Trump’s ultimatum to Iran: total destruction on the table
Earlier, Trump issued an unprecedented ultimatum threatening total destruction against Iran, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched attacks against American military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, signaling they are ready to teach the United States a lesson. Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump set a strict deadline for Tehran, threatening to level key national infrastructure if Iran did not stand down. He stated: “They have until tomorrow at 8 o’clock — we’ll see what happens. We’re negotiating in good faith. After 8, they won’t have bridges, they won’t have power stations.”
Trump did not hesitate to threaten “total destruction,” though he clarified he “wouldn’t want to do it,” adding: “It will take them 100 years to rebuild their country.” He also expressed sharp frustration with his allies, saying: “I’m very disappointed with NATO,” while appearing confident about the outcome of the crisis: “We are the winners, they have lost. We’ll put tolls on the Strait of Hormuz.”
Revolutionary Guard attacks on U.S. military bases
Tehran’s response was swift. Iran claims it launched attacks against American targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, while IRGC leadership sent a stern message to Washington.
Tehran described its actions as a response to U.S. movements in the region and warned it is prepared to continue the conflict, escalating tensions in the Middle East even further.
According to Iran’s FARS news agency, the Revolutionary Guards stated they carried out strikes against Al-Sakhir Air Base and Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, as well as the Arifjan Base in Kuwait. Kuwait’s military announced that its air defense forces successfully intercepted the incoming missiles and hostile drones.
IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi delivered a hardline message via state television: “We will teach the United States a lesson that will destroy every aggressor and open the path to global dominance for the oppressed. We will obey the Supreme Leader (Mojtaba Khamenei) and will never tie Iran’s fate to the promises of an enemy that kills children, known for breaking commitments and resorting to deception.”
A war of words over military intelligence
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf also entered the political fray, mocking Washington’s strategic calculations in a post on platform X.
“The Americans keep bringing new military equipment to the region and claim they want to stop the war. They have measured our intelligence against their own laughably low IQ. We, recognizing these American games, have reached the level of absolute mastery and have prepared accordingly. Actions must confirm statements, not contradict them.”
The situation in the Persian Gulf remains extremely volatile, with the coming hours considered critical for regional security.
آمریکاییها مدام تجهیزات نظامی جدید به منطقه میآورند و ادعا میکنند دنبال توقف جنگند. روی هوش ما اندازهٔ آی کیوی مختصر خودشان حساب کردهاند.
ما در شناخت این آمریکاییبازیها به مرحلهٔ استاد تمامی رسیدهایم و بر این اساس آماده شدهایم. اقدامات باید مؤید ادعاها باشد نه ناقض آنها.— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) July 20, 2026
IRGC: “As long as we are under attack, not a drop of oil will pass through Hormuz”
The Strait of Hormuz “is our territory and the intervention of the American terrorist army, coming from thousands of miles away, has no legal standing and will certainly be confronted. As long as America’s hostile actions in the region continue, this passage will not be safe for the transit of fertilizers, let alone a single drop of oil or natural gas,” the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated, citing Tasnim News Agency. “The invading army must prepare to face the consequences,” they added.
Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a naval embargo against Saudi Arabia, following an exchange of fire between the two sides last week for the first time in years.
The rebels “declare a naval embargo against the criminal enemy, Saudi Arabia, based on the principle of ‘an eye for an eye,’ effective immediately upon the publication of this declaration,” said military spokesman Yahia Sari, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The United States is increasing its aircraft presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
The U.S. plans to deploy additional F-16 and F-35 fighter jets from European bases, along with additional aerial refueling tankers, according to an American official.
The additional resources could expand President Donald Trump’s options as he weighs how to proceed in the escalating conflict.
Last week, Trump received a Situation Room briefing on options for intensifying the war effort. He has considered attempting to seize Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, or striking Iran’s nuclear facilities at Mount Pickaxe.
Trump has not, however, entirely ruled out pursuing a diplomatic solution, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated last night that the door remains open for a return to the negotiating table.
Reuters: “Mediators propose 10-day ceasefire”
Mediators between Iran and the United States have proposed a 10-day suspension of attacks, Reuters reports, citing Middle East Eye. The proposed pause, they explained, aims to create diplomatic space to revive an agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Wall Street opens higher
Major Wall Street indices opened higher on Monday, as chipmaker stocks rebounded from last week’s losses and investors looked ahead to a series of major earnings reports from large technology companies that have fueled the AI-driven market rally.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 8.2 points, or 0.02%, at the open, to 52,154.57. The S&P 500 .SPX gained 31.5 points, or 0.42%, opening at 7,489.18, while the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC climbed 200.6 points, or 0.79%, to 25,720.871 at the opening bell.
