From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 4, 2026
Trump: If Iran attacks US ships, they’ll be ‘blown off the face of the earth’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
If Iran attacks any US ships around the Strait of Hormuz, they will “blown off the face of the earth,” US President Donald Trump tells Fox News.
But he says that the Iranians are showing flexibility in talks and are “much more malleable” in the face of the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump says that he is continuing to send troops and equipment to the region.
“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump says. “We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”
Meanwhile, writing on social media, Trump says that Iran “has taken some shots at unrelated Nations,” including a South Korean cargo ship, but no damage has been caused to any other ships. Iran also reportedly fired missiles at the UAE today.
“Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” Trump says, adding that the US has destroyed seven Iranian fast boats.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine will hold a new conference tomorrow, he says.
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