Trump declares US surveillance over Iran “near total”

President warns of further strikes as Tehran retaliates across the Gulf.

In a fiery Oval Office address, US President Donald Trump asserted that Washington’s surveillance network over Iran is so extensive that “they can’t move without us seeing it.” His remarks followed the most intense exchange of fire between the two nations since July, underscoring the escalating confrontation in the Gulf.

According to Iranian officials, American forces struck multiple sites along the country’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 100. Among the casualties were civilians attending a wedding in Kuhestak, Tehran claimed. Trump, however, described the operation as a decisive blow, insisting that US forces had dismantled Iran’s efforts to rebuild radar systems, missile platforms, and mine‑dropping technology. “We hit them very hard,” he said, adding that the US now maintains “very strong control” over the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, has been effectively blockaded by Iran for months. Trump boasted that American vessels are moving millions of barrels of oil daily with minimal disruption, dismissing Iranian drone attacks as minor skirmishes quickly neutralized by US defenses. He ridiculed Tehran’s attempt to develop rockets capable of deploying naval mines, calling the project “absurd” and claiming it was destroyed before completion.

Iran’s response was swift and expansive. Missiles and drones targeted US military installations in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Kuwait’s army confirmed intercepting incoming fire, while Iranian state media framed the attacks as retaliation for “America’s crimes against the Iranian people.” Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s national security chief, warned that Tehran had adopted a “new strategy” designed to undermine US power at its core.

Beyond the battlefield, Washington has pledged to intensify economic pressure, threatening sanctions against nations that continue trading with Iran. Senator Marco Rubio echoed the administration’s stance, urging global partners to avoid aiding Tehran. The dual approach- military strikes coupled with economic isolationsignals Washington’s determination to weaken Iran’s grip on the region.

Despite the heightened violence, Trump suggested the flare‑up may not endure. “I don’t think it will last too long,” he remarked, though his warning that the US could strike “anytime we want” left little doubt about Washington’s readiness for further escalation. With both sides entrenched, the Gulf remains a flashpoint where global energy security and geopolitical rivalry collide.