Statement comes amid more Israeli attacks, reports of US troop deploymentUS President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for declining to defend the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: AFP)JERUSALEM - Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and Beirut on Saturday after US President Donald Trump said he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran following three weeks of war. “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East,” Trump said in a social media post. The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes against “Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets” in the Lebanese capital early Saturday. US forces hit Kharg on Friday in strikes that Trump said had “totally obliterated” the island’s military targets but not its oil infrastructure.

Source: Bangkok Post March 21, 2026 06:09 UTC