Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran as the US announced it would be slamming the country with the 'highest volume of strikes' today (13 March).
America's military announced it is gearing up for the 'busiest' day in battle so far, while Israel said it would launch an 'extensive' wave of strikes on the capital of Tehran.
The nations, who dually launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, revealed they were stepping up the offensive less than 24 hours after Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei made his first public remarks.
In a message broadcast on Iranian state TV that was delivered by a newsreader, Khamenei vowed to 'avenge the blood' of the victims of the war and said he would continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Advert
Oil prices have spiked since the key shipping route was effectively shut down by Iran and its ruler said this 'leverage' must 'definitely continue to be utilised'.
Khamenei took over running the country after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed.
Today, Trump again bragged that US strikes have 'wiped' out a host of powerful figures in Iran.
According to US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, Khamenei himself is 'wounded and likely disfigured' after allegedly being injured in the same strikes that killed six of his family members, including his dad, wife and daughter.
Since succeeding his father and taking over as ruler, the 56-year-old has not been seen in public, nor have any new images been released of him.
Trump has claimed that Iran is seriously on the back foot after being bombarded with missiles over the last few weeks - and on Friday, he eerily warned that more blood will be spilled in the coming hours.
In a post on Truth Social the commander-in-chief issued a chilling threat to Iran, saying: "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today."
"We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise," Trump wrote.
"Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth.
"We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today."
Trump's post added: "They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honour it is to do so!"
After the president shared the plans for a major new retaliation, Iran launched multiple attacks on Gulf Arab states, including dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia.
The US military said American forces have now struck more than 6,000 targets since the operation against Iran began, including more than 30 mine-laying vessels.
Despite previously saying that Iran is 'virtually destroyed', Trump said he will 'finish the job'. The US and Israel say that destroying whatever remains of Iran’s nuclear programme is one of the central aims of the war.
They have long suspected Iran seeks nuclear weapons, while the Islamic Republic says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Topics: World News, Iran, US News, Israel, Politics, Donald Trump
Olivia Burke