President Donald Trump is considering a new round of strikes against Iran's energy infrastructure, potentially to be carried out over the weekend, according to White House statements and multiple reports. In response, Iran has indicated it has identified its own targets should the United States and Israel launch any attacks.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that "President Trump is not going to stand by and allow this terrorist behavior to occur" and that "Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way." This warning came after Trump suggested that "we just want to win" in Iran and that U.S. military action would likely continue. Leavitt also accused Iran of breaking a truce agreement forged last month, engaging in attacks on commercial ships, and killing American soldiers.
Reports on the timing and finalization of potential U.S. strikes have varied. The Wall Street Journal, citing officials, claimed Trump had already approved strikes that could commence this weekend and last several days. Axios, however, reported that Trump had not yet given final orders. There is a belief among some that any operation should be completed before Wall Street opens on Monday to mitigate economic impacts.
Iran has previously taken actions such as firing drones at Kuwait, which hosts U.S. forces, and claims of targeting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Kuwait's Defense Ministry confirmed that its armed forces intercepted drones within its airspace, which it stated targeted military facilities causing material damage but no casualties. Iranian state media reported that Iran had targeted an air base in Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. strikes. The Revolutionary Guard claimed to have struck two oil tankers attempting passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with four other tankers reportedly turning back. Details on the ownership of these tankers and any casualties were not provided.
Trump has a history of threatening significant escalations against Tehran. He previously suggested considering a "bigger than ever before" attack. Reporting has also raised questions about the strain on U.S. air defense munitions, such as Patriot missile interceptors, if escalation were to occur.
Separately, Trump made conflicting statements regarding a cyberattack on Minnesota's water infrastructure. While U.S. officials suggested Iran was likely behind the attack targeting over 30 municipal water systems, Trump blamed the state's Democratic governor for incompetence, stating, "I don't think there was an Iranian cyberattack." This stance contrasts with an internal report from the Minnesota Fusion Center, which indicated the hacks were "aligned" with a Tehran-backed entity and part of a wider campaign. The FBI is reportedly investigating the incident.