US President Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of Anadolu.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was tracking the movement of Iranian military assets and warned that any renewed hostilities would be met with rapid retaliation.
He said the United States had identified locations where Iran may have moved lighter military equipment during a ceasefire period and claimed these could be targeted quickly if fighting resumed.
Trump made the remarks as tensions remained high following a temporary halt in hostilities between the two sides.
In a separate interview with Axios, he said he rejected a proposal from Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and instead favored maintaining pressure through a naval blockade.
He described the blockade as a more effective measure than airstrikes, saying it was already straining Iran’s economy and limiting its capacity to operate.
Trump also claimed Iran was seeking relief from restrictions on the strategic waterway, which is critical for global oil shipments.
He said continued export limitations had severely weakened Iranian infrastructure, describing it as being under severe strain.
According to Axios sources, US Central Command had prepared contingency plans for a rapid and intensive series of airstrikes if diplomatic efforts failed, although Trump had not yet authorized any military action.