On the 4th, US President Trump threatened in an interview with Fox News Channel that if Iran opens fire on US vessels near the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz, it will be 'wiped off the face of the earth.'
He stated that there are currently only two options: either Iran sincerely reaches an agreement, or the US will ultimately have to restart military action.
He said US military preparations are in full swing, all bases are fully stocked, and US forces can deploy and use these resources at any time.
When asked about the possibility of negotiating and achieving success with Iran, Trump stated that compared to the past, Iran's attitude has softened, and under the US blockade of Iranian ports and continued pressure, the Iranian side has shown some flexibility.
On the same day, Trump posted on social media that Iran had opened fire on ships, including a South Korean cargo vessel. The US side sank seven small Iranian speedboats. Aside from the South Korean cargo ship, there were no other ships reported damaged in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the 3rd, Trump announced that the US would begin an evacuation operation on the morning of the 4th local time in the Middle East, guiding ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz to leave the strait. On the 4th, General Cooper, commander of US Central Command, told the media that Iran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones, etc., at US Navy vessels and commercial ships protected by the US military. The US military then sank six small Iranian boats.