U.S. President Donald Trump warned on July 8 (local time) that airstrikes against Iran would continue for a second consecutive day.

President Trump, who is currently attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, stated during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, "We hit them hard last night, and we will likely hit them hard again tonight."

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on approximately 80 targets within Iran the previous day in response to attacks by Iranian forces on civilian oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The President's remarks indicate an intention to continue these operations.

Earlier in the day, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Trump harshly criticized Iran, calling them "scum" and "terrible people."

He specifically remarked that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities signed with Iran "seems to be over. I don't want to deal with them." However, he left room for further engagement by noting that the U.S. negotiating team, including Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, could continue to hold talks with Iran.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)