Trump: “Never Apologize” for Iran Strikes as Oil Prices Climb and Hormuz Deal Emerges

The White House announced “major combat operations” against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, though officials did not immediately disclose targets or damage [218128]. President Trump said yesterday he would “never apologize” for taking military action against Iran, arguing higher gas prices are a necessary cost to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon [219894]. He also declared the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “We own it,” and warning that any hostile Iranian action would be met with force [217235].

Meanwhile, Iran announced on Saturday it has reached an agreement with Oman on a safe navigation route through the strait, according to Ismail Bagaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry. Bagaei said “positive progress” over the last three weeks led to an agreement on the route’s map, though talks continue on a joint statement’s wording [219928]. He stressed the understanding is an independent bilateral agreement, but full normalization of commercial traffic depends on an end to U.S. “illegal actions, interference, threats, and naval blockade” [219928].

The violence is spreading beyond Iran. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people, prompting immediate condemnation from Lebanese leaders who called the strikes a dangerous escalation [219795]. Hezbollah has promised an “appropriate” response, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to widen the conflict for domestic political goals [219876]. The Arab League warned that Israel’s escalation in southern Lebanon is endangering peace efforts, stating that Israeli policies “blatantly expose the occupation’s intentions to prolong confrontations and obstruct negotiations” [219854]. Netanyahu’s office reported three Israeli soldiers wounded in a Hezbollah attack near the border, coinciding with what it called Israel’s deadliest strikes on southern Lebanon since the June ceasefire framework [219870].

In Yemen, the internationally recognized government vowed a “harsh and deterrent” response after Houthi missiles struck the port of Mokha with six ballistic missiles [219471]. The Yemeni government also promised a firm response to escalating Houthi attacks across the country, with a spokesman saying, “We will not remain silent” [216163].

Trump dismissed concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln’s nine-month deployment near Iran, saying, “No, no, no, not nearly enough” when asked if the crew had been at sea too long, though he confirmed the ship would soon rotate out [219009].