US President Donald Trump threatens more strikes on Iran's Kharg Island

U .S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, an artery for global energy supplies, as Tehran vowed to intensify its response.



With the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its third week, Trump said U.S. strikes had "totally demolished" much of the island and warned of more, telling NBC News on Saturday, "We may hit it a few more times just for fun."



The remarks marked a sharp escalation from Trump, who had previously said the U.S. was targeting only military sites on Kharg, and dealt a blow to diplomatic efforts. His administration has brushed aside attempts by Middle Eastern allies to open talks, three sources told Reuters, as the conflict grows.



The war showed no sign of ending, and the strain on oil markets, with Iran essentially shutting down the vital Strait of Hormuz, looked set to linger.



Trump said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict but that "the terms aren't good enough yet."