Trump Signals Possible Further Strikes on Iran as Tanker Damage Mounts

US President Donald Trump has signalled that further military action against Iran is possible, saying the United States had knocked the "hell out" of the country. Al Jazeera reported the remarks on October 23, 2026, the same day Iran said seven oil tankers had been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil.

Trump made similar comments to White House reporters on October 22. According to Arab Times, he said: "We've knocked the hell out of them, and we may do it a little bit further." Separately, Reuters reported that Trump warned he could "annihilate" Iran without a peace deal.

Iran's account of the shipping damage was that seven tankers were hit in a single day. Al Jazeera reported that this was the highest daily toll for tankers since the US-Israel war with Tehran began.

The pressure on the talks is a further thread. Senior officials told Reuters on October 21 that Iran had deliberately prolonged negotiations with the United States in an effort to weaken Trump politically ahead of November's midterm elections, the congressional votes held midway through a president's term. Reuters attributed that assessment to the officials.