Trump threatens to strike Iran's civilian infrastructure : Trump comments on Iran as tensions continue

AP, July 8, 2026, Ankara : US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to strike Iran's civilian infrastructure and to seize Kharg Island, with its oil infrastructure, as his ceasefire with Tehran appeared to be in tatters.

Trump made the threats after announcing that the US was preparing for a second night of strikes against Iran after Iranian attacks on American military sites in the Gulf.

If the US has to, Trump said, it will take out Iran's electric plants and desalination plants.

He said Tuesday's strikes included attacks on Kharg Island but not its oil facilities.

"Maybe we'll take over Kharg Island. We may take over Kharg Island. There's not a thing they could do about it," Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Trump had said the interim agreement with Iran is "over", but he will allow talks to continue.

"For me, I think it's over," Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. "It's just a waste of time dealing with them."

He made the comment on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and hours after striking Iran in what the US described as retaliation for strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

On the US peace deal with Iran, he said, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum... They are sick people. They're led by sick people. They are vicious, violent people and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it.

"As far as I am concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. They're good people — Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner — but they have to come back to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them.

"They're liars. We make a deal... Everyone's agreed. No nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, talk to the press. They say, 'We never even talked about it.' There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

Trump accused Iran of killing 54,000 protesters and said that the press did not report it.

The US President said that he does not want to waste his time negotiating with Iran.

He went on to add: "They're liars, they're cheats, they're sick people, they've hurt their people, they have killed 54,000 people as of now that were protesting.

"You know, when people say, 'How come they haven't taken over?' They can't take over because they're dead. They killed them. Nobody's going to take over. They have no guns and the other side has machine guns and they're killing them.

"The press doesn't report it. But they're bad people. They're bad people. And, frankly, I don't want to waste my time with them. Now, I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it. I don't like these people."

Trump's statement comes hours after the US carried out a new round of military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 80 sites in response to what Washington described as Tehran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Announcing the operation, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were conducted using precision-guided munitions and were aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten international maritime commerce.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said: "US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran, July 7, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"US forces struck Iranian air defence systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor," it added.

According to the US, Iran recently attacked three commercial vessels transiting the strait, including Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity.