Trump says US military will stay near Iran, warns of escalation while hinting at ‘next conquest’ amid ongoing tensions

US President Donald Trump has stated that American military forces will continue to remain positioned in and around Iran, while also indicating that the military is preparing for what he described as its “next conquest.” His remarks, shared on Truth Social, come alongside warnings of escalation if an agreement with Iran is not fully implemented.

Trump said that all US ships, aircraft and military personnel, along with additional ammunition and weaponry, will stay deployed near Iran until what he described as the “real agreement” is fully complied with.

He stated, “All U.S. Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with.”

He added that if the agreement is not honoured, which he described as “highly unlikely,” the response would escalate significantly. According to Trump, “If for any reason it is not… then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.”

In the same communication, Trump said the US military is currently “loading up” and “resting,” while also “looking forward, actually, to its next conquest.” The statement was framed as part of a broader message emphasising military readiness.

He also reiterated two key conditions regarding Iran — that it would not possess nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and secure.

“It was agreed, a long time ago… NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS and, the Strait of Hormuz WILL BE OPEN & SAFE,” Trump said, adding, “AMERICA IS BACK!”

Trump criticised media organisations, specifically naming The New York Times and CNN, alleging that they reported incorrect details about a proposed 10-point plan linked to Iran negotiations.

He said both outlets circulated a “totally FAKE TEN POINT PLAN” and described the reported details as a “made up HOAX” intended to discredit those involved in the peace process.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed the issue, cautioning media outlets against what she described as inaccurate reporting.

She clarified that Iran had initially presented a 10-point proposal, but it was “fundamentally unserious, unacceptable, and completely discarded.” She added that the plan was rejected outright by Trump and his negotiating team.

Leavitt said, “Many outlets… have falsely reported on that plan as being acceptable to the United States, and that is false.”

She further stated that public messaging from Iran may differ from what is communicated privately to US officials. “What Iran says publicly… is much different than what they communicate to the United States, the President, and his team privately,” she said.

Leavitt also urged caution in reporting, advising the media against presenting narratives without factual basis, and highlighted Trump’s role in advancing US interests and negotiating peace.