PENNSYLVANIA — President Donald Trump confirmed today that the United States has executed a fresh wave of U.S. strikes on Iran, validating reports that U.S. CENTCOM launched a second wave of military action earlier in the day. The operations specifically targeted Iranian military capabilities positioned to threaten and strike commercial shipping vessels navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
While attending an Innovation Summit in Pennsylvania, the President revealed he was briefly pulled aside from the event to receive a direct phone call verifying the military operation. This aligned with a simultaneous public statement released by U.S. CENTCOM on X, which corroborated the neutralization of the maritime threats.
When pressed on whether the administration might completely dismantle the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a manner similar to the historical campaign against ISIS, President Trump indicated that such an outcome remains a possibility. He noted that he had just been informed that Iranian representatives are actively requesting a meeting.
The President sharply criticized prior leadership, arguing that previous administrations failed to secure an agreement over the past 47 years—or even longer—because they did not employ his specific negotiation tactics. He described the Iranian counterparts as highly difficult to deal with, asserting they would never make a deal unless it was approached exactly the way he is doing it now.
Marking his first public event outside the White House since the recent NATO Summit, Trump was questioned about his personal safety amid active threats originating from Iran. He stated that he deliberately avoids dwelling on potential dangers to his life, as doing so would hinder his effectiveness as a leader. However, he expressed strong confidence in his security detail, praising the protective teams for doing a good job.
Transitioning to global sports, the President announced his intention to attend the upcoming World Cup Final. He expressed immense pride in the tournament’s execution on American soil, claiming the event generated four times more revenue than any previous World Cup in history.
Acknowledging that soccer is traditionally “not our game” in the United States, he emphasized that the nation served as the “best ambassador” by providing a highly secure environment for international visitors. He specifically highlighted that visiting supporters from Scotland and Norway departed with a newly positive, different impression of the country.
Noting that two matches remain in the tournament—one scheduled for later today and another on Sunday—the President concluded his remarks and finished his speech at the summit.
