The United States Threatens to "Negotiate with Bombs," World Worries About "Risk of Full-Scale Conflict," Strait of Hormuz Closed Again

[Global Times Special Correspondent in the U.S. Xiao Da, Wang Yi] On the 10th local time, the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that it would begin to implement "defensive strikes" against multiple targets within Iran starting that evening (morning of the 11th Beijing time). This marks the second consecutive day of large-scale attacks by the U.S. on Iran. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed that the U.S. action aims to push Iran to reach an agreement with the U.S., stating, "If we need to negotiate with bombs, then we will negotiate with bombs." On the 11th local time, President Trump threatened, "Tonight we will launch a fierce strike against Iran," adding, "In the near future, we will also occupy Khark Island and other oil facilities." In response to the large-scale attacks and threats from the U.S., the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran issued a statement on the 11th, claiming that in response to the U.S. military's attack on Iran, the IRGC Aerospace Force conducted two waves of operations that hit and destroyed 18 significant targets, including two U.S. air bases in Kuwait and an air base in Bahrain. Iran also announced that starting from that day, the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to all vessels, including tankers and merchant ships, and any violators would become targets for strikes. Regarding the current situation in Iran, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed serious concern on the 11th, stating that military confrontation would only exacerbate the deterioration of the situation, and that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of regional countries should be respected and maintained. China strongly urges the relevant parties to immediately cease military actions, return to dialogue and negotiation, respond to the mediation efforts of relevant countries, and achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.

U.S. and Iran Attack Each Other for Two Consecutive Days

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Central Command announced on the 10th local time that U.S. forces began "defensive strikes" against multiple targets within Iran at 5:15 PM Eastern Time on the 10th. The announcement stated that this airstrike was a response to Iran's "unprovoked and ongoing" attacks. Hours later, Central Command stated that it had "completed" a new round of strikes, targeting "Iran's military reconnaissance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense positions," which posed a threat to U.S. forces and international merchant vessels operating in the region.

After the U.S. airstrikes on Iran on the 10th, Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News, "Tonight we hit them hard." When asked what he would do if Tehran remained unwilling to reach an agreement, Trump said, "We will blow them to smithereens."

On the 11th local time, Trump posted on social media threatening, "Tonight the U.S. will launch a fierce strike against Iran." He stated, "In the near future, we will also occupy Khark Island and other oil facilities, fully control the Iranian oil and gas market, just like we did with Venezuela."

According to CNBC, the U.S. military conducted large-scale attacks on Iran for the second consecutive day. On the 10th, Trump accused Tehran at the White House, stating that he still hoped to reach a "meaningful and effective" agreement with Iran, but the Iranian side had "been dragging their feet and treating us like fools." He claimed that the U.S.-Iran agreement "has already been negotiated," and it only requires the Iranian side to "sign on the dotted line," but the Iranian side "keeps delaying." The day before, Trump posted on social media that Iran had "dragged on negotiations for too long... now they must pay the price."

According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper claimed on the 10th at the U.S. Central Command in Florida that the U.S. strikes against Iran aimed to push it to reach an agreement with the U.S., accusing Iranian negotiators of being uncooperative. He also threatened, "If we need to negotiate with bombs, then we will negotiate with bombs... they will face bombs dropped by the U.S. on their critical facilities."

In response to the U.S. military's attacks, Iran immediately retaliated. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, the IRGC issued a statement on the 11th, claiming that in response to the U.S. military's attack on Iran, the IRGC Aerospace Force launched two waves of operations that hit and destroyed 18 significant targets at two U.S. air bases in Kuwait and one air base in Bahrain. Additionally, the IRGC also launched 12 ballistic missiles at the U.S. air base located in Al Azraq, Jordan, targeting the deployment points of U.S. F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets, destroying relevant facilities and "a large number of aircraft." The Iranian military stated that after the ceasefire agreement was violated and the U.S. bombed the southern region of the country that day, the Iranian military used various types of drones to attack the U.S. Fifth Fleet located in Bahrain.

On the 11th, the Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, issued a statement saying that due to the turbulent regional situation, the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to all vessels, including tankers and merchant ships, and any violators would become targets for strikes.

However, the U.S. Central Command later denied Iran's claim about the Strait of Hormuz being closed again on social media, stating that "commercial vessels continue to enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz." In response, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that satellite imagery monitoring showed that after Iran issued the statement to close the strait, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped to zero.

According to Iranian news outlets, IRGC Air Force Commander Mousavi issued a stern warning to the U.S. on the 11th, stating that if Washington continues to threaten Iran's security, Iran will turn the Strait of Hormuz into "a hell for the U.S. military." He wrote on social media, "Do you want to make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe? We will turn this region into your hell from all over Iran. This is Iran's response to the U.S.'s reckless behavior in the region."

Iran Accuses the U.S. of "Blowing Up the Negotiation Table Again"

According to the Iranian Students' News Agency, the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 11th strongly condemning the U.S. for launching large-scale attacks on Iran, stating that the attacks would have extremely dangerous consequences, and the responsibility would lie entirely with the U.S. government. The statement said that the U.S. military's attacks not only blatantly violated the United Nations Charter and basic principles of international law but also rendered the previously reached ceasefire "meaningless."

Iranian President Raisi stated on social media on the 11th that the U.S. threat to strike Iran's critical infrastructure "is not a display of strength, but a desperate act in the face of Iran's will." Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf stated, "Iran will respond decisively and without delay to any acts of aggression."

"Engaging in coercive diplomacy, the U.S. has once again blown up the negotiation table." Iran's Mehr News Agency reported on the 11th that the U.S. has continuously launched airstrikes against Iran, once again openly violating the ceasefire agreement, making negotiations and dialogue meaningless. The report stated that Trump is attempting to force Iran to accept all of his unreasonable demands while Washington makes no concessions, which is essentially "unconditional surrender." However, the reality is far from the delusions of the U.S. president: Iran's strong military power and social cohesion indicate that the U.S. must recognize Iran as "invincible." The report stated that Iran has never shied away from equal dialogue and fair agreements, nor does it crave war, while the determination and strength displayed by the Iranian armed forces in the face of aggressors, as well as the historic resistance shown by the Iranian people during the war, will ultimately force the U.S. to accept a ceasefire.

"The Risk of Small-Scale Conflicts Evolving into Full-Scale Conflicts Should Not Be Underestimated"

Regarding the mutual attacks between the U.S. and Iran for two consecutive days, according to UN News on the 10th, the UN Security Council held a public meeting on Middle Eastern issues that day. UN Secretary-General Guterres warned at the meeting that the ceasefire situation in the Gulf region remains fragile, and the attacks have led to escalating tensions. He stated that the escalation of conflict has produced cross-border chain reactions, affecting global markets, trade routes, and food and fuel prices, and impacting the most vulnerable countries.

On the 10th, Guterres also posted on social media, stating that the recent attacks have made "the ceasefire feel more like a small-scale conflict," and the Middle East "may be dragged into a deeper crisis." He emphasized, "We should not underestimate the risk of small-scale conflicts evolving into full-scale conflicts. All parties must resolve issues through diplomatic means. Stop all attacks, stop all excuses."

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 11th that the U.S. and Iran are entering a dangerous new phase of conflict, with both sides trying to maintain pressure on each other and respond to provocations without returning to full-scale war, but they are always at risk of crossing each other's red lines and further escalating the situation. Recent hostile actions indicate that "the situation is very fragile, and due to the risk of misjudgment and accidental escalation, both sides are on the brink of full-scale conflict." The report stated that the U.S. idea of using extreme pressure to force Iran to yield is unrealistic. Former U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley stated, "This exposes the U.S. government's desperation due to its failed intentions. The U.S. mistakenly views the escalation of conflict as a bargaining chip in negotiations and will ultimately realize that pressure cannot shake Iran's position."

The report stated that some Middle Eastern diplomats acting as mediators believe that neither the U.S. nor Iran wants to be seen as conceding by accepting an unfavorable agreement, and the lack of progress in negotiations means that the U.S. and Iran remain mired in low-intensity conflict and stalled negotiations. Michael, a former official responsible for Middle Eastern affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, told The Wall Street Journal, "For both sides, the costs of compromise and escalation (of conflict) are too high to be acceptable. Over time, both sides will fall into an endless quagmire of war."