Trump Calls Iranian Strikes ‘Most Powerful Ever’ as Europe Scrambles for Diplomatic Solution

Even as Donald Trump boasted of conducting one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East — wiping out military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island — European governments were quietly working to find a diplomatic resolution to a conflict that has spiraled dangerously out of control. Trump spent the day labeling Iranian leaders “deranged scumbags,” celebrating their deaths, and promising even harder strikes ahead, while France and other European nations reportedly opened back-channel talks with Tehran. The contrast illustrated the deep divisions within the Western alliance over how to handle the crisis.
France’s quiet diplomatic outreach to Iran reportedly focused on guaranteeing safe passage for European commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blockaded through attacks on shipping. Italy denied being part of those negotiations. The Strait is critical to global energy supply, with approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas flowing through it. Trump warned that he would strike Iran’s oil infrastructure on Kharg Island immediately if the disruption of the waterway continued.
On the military front, the US-Israeli campaign was accelerating rather than slowing. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed more than 15,000 enemy targets had been struck since the war began. Israel separately confirmed over 200 strikes in a 24-hour period, targeting missile launchers, weapons facilities, and air defence networks across Iran. Trump declared that US Central Command had delivered one of the most powerful raids in regional history against Kharg Island’s military infrastructure.
Iran hit back across the Middle East with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf state infrastructure. Saudi Arabia intercepted nearly 50 drones in a single day. Doha evacuations preceded confirmed missile interceptions over Qatar. Two people were killed in Oman. Damage was reported in Dubai’s financial district. Iranian authorities confirmed their forces also launched fresh salvoes of missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Hezbollah, which fired rockets into northern Israel injuring close to 60 people.
Tehran’s residents, caught in the middle of the bombardment, described increasingly desperate conditions. Buildings shook, rubble lined the streets, electricity cut in and out, and fuel shortages prevented escape. Iran has reported over 1,300 deaths nationwide. Lebanon has counted more than 600 killed and 800,000 displaced. The United States lost 13 service members. France lost one soldier in Iraq. Israel reported 12 deaths. With no ceasefire talks underway at any senior level, the war appeared poised for further escalation in the days ahead.