Trump warns that Iran could face destruction, saying ‘you’ll know soon enough’ about his next move - The Express Tribune

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 reconnaissance and combat drone over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

In a statement, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force shot down the drone using an advanced air defense system operating under the country’s integrated air defense network. The IRGC described the incident as the downing of the 16th US MQ-1 drone.

According to figures released by the IRGC, Iranian forces have brought down 16 MQ-1 drones and 56 MQ-9 drones, bringing the claimed total to 72 aircraft of the two types. The IRGC said Iranian forces were continuously monitoring US aerial movements, reconnaissance activities and flight patterns in the area.

Qeshm, Iran’s largest island, is located in the southern province of Hormozgan, near the northern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

Iran has repeatedly reported intercepting US drones over Qeshm and surrounding waters amid ongoing military tensions with Washington.

Earlier on Friday, the IRGC said that it had brought down two US MQM-170 reconnaissance drones over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

In two separate statements, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force used advanced electronic warfare systems to disable the drones over the island, bringing the total number of MQM-170 drones it claimed to have downed to six.

The statements did not provide further details about the incidents.

Iran previously said it brought down four US MQM-170 drones in the Strait of Hormuz area during the ongoing conflict.

Iran will no longer rely solely on written commitments from the US and expects concrete actions before entering a new phase of diplomacy, a senior Iranian security official said on Friday.

Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Washington had repeatedly disrupted negotiations by violating its commitments over the past 18 months, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA.

“Iran must see practical actions by the US with its own eyes,” Bagheri said, adding that a new diplomatic opening would become possible only after such steps were taken.

Bagheri also provided details of Thursday’s meeting between Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, saying the talks lasted approximately three hours.

He said the primary purpose of Rezaei’s visit was to deliver a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei outlining Tehran’s priorities and vision for bilateral cooperation with Russia.

The message was intended to clarify the prospects for Iran-Russia relations under Khamenei’s leadership, he added.

Bagheri also highlighted strategic projects, including the proposed transfer of Russian natural gas to Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor, saying they could strengthen economic cooperation and reduce Washington’s ability to pressure Tehran.

The two sides have held indirect negotiations through regional mediators, with disagreements over security arrangements and the implementation of commitments continuing to complicate diplomatic efforts.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to contain regional tensions and prevent renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The talks marked the second phone call between the two officials since Tuesday amid continuing regional diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and revive negotiations between the US and Iran.

“The two ministers discussed the latest developments on the regional scene and efforts being made to contain the current tensions,” the ministry said.

Egyptian FM Badr Abdelatty has urged all parties to show flexibility and reach compromises to prevent a new wave of escalation in the region, during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. 🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/voEC5pKhv2 pic.twitter.com/1N5CimxJzq

They also reviewed recent developments and concerns over the possibility of renewed military confrontation and its repercussions for regional and international security and stability.

Abdelatty stressed the importance of “prioritising diplomatic solutions” to reach a political settlement to the crisis.

He called for the necessary flexibility and compromises that would serve the interests of all parties and prevent the region from “sliding into a new wave of escalation”.

The two officials had also discussed regional developments, de-escalation efforts and a return to negotiations during a phone call on Tuesday.

The latest contact comes amid continuing regional diplomatic efforts to contain tensions between Washington and Tehran and avert renewed military confrontation.

Washington has demanded Iranian concessions over its nuclear program as a condition for resuming negotiations, while Tehran has called for the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian funds and permission to export oil.

One seafarer was killed in an explosion ​believed to have been caused ‌by a missile attack on an oil products tanker in the Gulf on ​Thursday, the ship's manager said ​on Friday.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Velos Sapphire was sailing ⁠unladen towards Bahrain when it was ​hit, Greek management firm Velos Tankers said in ​a statement.

"The company is greatly saddened to report the death of one of its ​seafarers, who was found fatally injured ​on board after having initially been reported missing ‌in ⁠the aftermath of the explosion," it said.

There were no other injuries among the crew, who extinguished a ​fire on ​the ship ⁠caused by the explosion, and no reports of pollution, ​Velos Tankers added.

The vessel was ​taken ⁠to Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port and an investigation will be launched. ⁠The ​extent of the ​damage to the vessel's hull was still being assessed.

Advisor to the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Ali Belali warned that any country or force abetting the United States in a new act of aggression against Iran would be considered a “legitimate target” for the country’s reprisal attacks, according to Press TV.

Any country aiding US in new war on Iran will become ‘legitimate target’: IRGC aidehttps://t.co/Q2CZDF6VNB pic.twitter.com/hTSSiUdlMq

He made the remarks in an interview with Iran's Arabic-language al-Alam television news channel after Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered senior military commanders to ensure that any level or type of enemy threat is met with a “geographically unrestricted response.”

Asked about the Leader’s directive, he said, “In my assessment, when geography is described as having no limitations, this could encompass all regions. “

“Any force or country that assists the US in its aggression against us could become a legitimate target for us. Of course, this depends on the country in question and the extent to which it cooperates and coordinates with the United States.”

Separately, Spokesman of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Akraminia said that "No renewed aggression, military adventurism or hostile actions in the region will be able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," in comments carried by Press TV.

🔴 Spokesman of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Akrami-Nia: 🔺 No renewed aggression, military adventurism or hostile actions in the region will be able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/LpNlRUWSdk

"The strait can only be reopened if the US agrees to the seven conditions conveyed to it through political and security officials," he said.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump to discuss Qatar's mediation efforts towards a comprehensive agreement to end the regional crisis, a Qatari statement said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Iran has sent the United States a nuclear proposal via Qatar, to ​be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran’s seven demands, ‌a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the US was reviewing the proposal but ​declined to provide further details.

Mediators have intensified efforts to ​end the war between Iran and the United States ⁠amid fears it could reignite after the US midterm ​elections, with Trump on Tuesday declining to rule out a resumption ​of combat operations after the vote and Iran planning wider retaliation if war resumes.

Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei had said earlier on ​Thursday, during a visit to Russia: "On the issue of diplomacy, ​we have announced seven conditions to the Americans. As long as they ‌do ⁠not execute our seven conditions, we will neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor have negotiations".

Iran has demanded the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and war ​reparations, among other ​conditions, while Washington ⁠has said nuclear issues must be part of any initial negotiations.

The US and Israel attacked ​Iran on February 28, and Iran responded with ​strikes ⁠on Israel and Gulf states that host US bases. Conflict also erupted in Lebanon between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, and more ⁠recently ​spread to Yemen, from where the ​Iran-aligned Houthis have struck energy facilities, airports and other targets in Saudi Arabia.

The IRGC said on Friday that two tankers attempting to navigate an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz struck mines and caught fire, bringing them to a halt, Press TV reported on Friday.

🔴 IRGC Navy: 🔺 Two tankers attempting to navigate an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz struck mines and caught fire, bringing them to a halt. pic.twitter.com/YXezoYARxy

"The vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems and were attempting to pass under US military protection," the IRGC statement read, as per Press TV.

Head of the Iranology Foundation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said in an interview with IRNA on Friday that the Republicans’ defeat in the US midterm elections stemmed from Washington’s lack of foresight and decisions influenced by Israeli propaganda.

Republicans’ defeat reflects Trump’s lack of foresight, says Iranology Foundation chiefhttps://t.co/lIhD5NN8GZ pic.twitter.com/r1xK83t9GX

He said US officials had confronted Iran without considering the consequences, influenced by Israeli propaganda, and were now facing the repercussions.

Salehi said the issue facing Washington today was not how to withdraw from the war, but how to preserve its credibility and reputation, as the confrontation with Iran called into question the idea of US military invincibility.

He also said that Washington’s narratives had not weakened Iranian public opinion or national unity, and that the US had failed to topple Iran's leadership, divide the people and government, or pull the country into its political orbit.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, has emphasised that Washington’s continued threats against Iranian nuclear sites reflect its growing desperation, according to IRNA.

Speaking with Russia Today (RT) on Thursday, Eslami said, “The fact that the US president constantly threatens to attack Kuh-e Kolang (Pickaxe Mountain), and has previously threatened other locations in various ways, is a clear sign of their desperation.”

US threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities reflect Washington’s growing desperation: AEOI chiefhttps://t.co/wXTWYg2HaK pic.twitter.com/zk7yFSkUmq

Eslami criticised International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, saying he has become an “obedient agent” of Iran’s adversaries by providing them with information about the country’s nuclear program.

He said such actions amount to an abuse of the authority entrusted to international institutions and called into question their credibility, while exposing serious weaknesses in the Charter of the United Nations and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The AEOI chief strongly condemned the IAEA Director General’s double standards, saying, “These double standards have become so evident that they are now being openly practised.”

In separate comments carried by Press TV, Senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Akbar Velayati said regarding regional security that "Either collective security will be achieved, or everyone will experience collective insecurity."

Senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Akbar Velayati on regional security: Either collective security will be achieved, or everyone will experience collective insecurity. Follow: https://t.co/oa9JV4iSOo pic.twitter.com/WQTYRUhC7A

Iranian American member of the US House of Representatives Yassamin Ansari criticised US President Donald Trump’s war policy, stressing that the US president’s war against Iran must end.

Quoting Trump’s latest remarks against Iran, she reacted in a post on her X account on Friday, saying, “He’s once again threatening the annihilation of a country of 90 million people. A crime against humanity.”

She added, “Democrats must work urgently to end Trump’s reckless war of choice when we take back the House and the Senate. Enough is enough.”

He’s once again threatening the annihilation of a country of 90 million people. A crime against humanity. Democrats must work urgently to end Trump’s reckless war of choice when we take back the House and the Senate. Enough is enough. https://t.co/s6tmegSGsr

Trump said on Thursday that he may have to “destroy the rest” of Iran, and that “you’ll know soon enough.”

“Now we’ll make a decision: Do we want to go further and just certify it, by certifying it, meaning it will never happen again?” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. And you’ll know soon enough,” he said.

Trump said he thinks it will take Iran 25 years to rebuild after the US-Israeli war on the country that began in February and has yet to be settled.

Asked about reports that Iran sent a proposal to the US through mediators on the future of its nuclear program and whether the US is involved, Trump said: “They’re not doing anything without our approval.”

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from. Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2026 The Express Tribune.