U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to ‌step up its response and the war showed no sign on Sunday (March 15, 2026) of coming to an end.

Mr. Trump said the U.S. strikes had “totally demolished” most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, telling NBC News, “We may hit it a few more times ⁠just for fun.” While he said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict, he added that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.”

The comments marked an escalation in rhetoric from the President, who had previously said the U.S. targeted only military sites on Kharg. They also undercut diplomatic efforts, with three sources familiar with the situation telling Reuters that Mr. Trump’s ‌administration had already rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start negotiations aimed at ending the war.

-Reuters