Netanyahu threatens Iran with "a much stronger response": Trump and Tehran maintain their military offensive

Iran has defended this Tuesday the strength of its oil exports despite the reestablishment of the restrictions promoted by the United States, on a day also marked by new warnings from Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the context of growing regional tension.

Iranian Oil Minister, Mohsen Pakneyad, has assured that the country's crude sales have continued to develop "normally" after Washington revoked the temporary exemption linked to energy sanctions and resumed pressure measures on the Islamic Republic. "Despite the cancellation of the 60-day exemption, Iran's oil exports continue normally and no problems are expected to arise in this area," the minister said through his Telegram channel, according to Iranian media.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has once again issued a warning message to Iranian leaders during the Negev Conference, held in the Israeli town of Dimona, near the country's nuclear facilities. "I can only tell the leaders of Iran one thing: do not expect silence if you attack us. It will not be a repeat. The response will be much, much more forceful than in the past," the Israeli leader affirmed.

המסר שלי למנהיגי איראן:

אל תבנו על כך שיהיה שקט אם תתקפו אותנו. אל תבנו על שידור חוזר, זה יהיה שידור אחר - עוצמתי הרבה יותר. pic.twitter.com/lTqHczGSjG

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 14, 2026

The statements have come after the United States has carried out for three consecutive nights attacks against Iranian targets. The operations have come hours after the US president, Donald Trump, announced a new maritime blockade on Iran following incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

For its part, Iran has attacked two United Arab Emirates vessels sailing through the area, an action that has resulted in the death of one crew member and eight injured. In addition, Iranian forces have launched missiles and drones against US facilities located in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Despite the escalation, Israel has not participated in these latest attacks so far, and Tehran has not directed actions against Israeli territory either.

The "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz

The new military offensive launched this Monday by the United States against Iranian targets and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran have further escalated tension in the Middle East. In this context, US President, Donald Trump, defended this Monday that Washington assume control of the security of this strategic maritime route and demanded economic compensation from the countries that benefit from its protection.

The statements come after the United States attacked various Iranian infrastructures over the weekend with the aim of reducing Tehran's military capacity to act against commercial vessels crossing the strait. According to the US Central Command, the operation targeted missile and drone facilities, naval capabilities, weapons depots, communication networks, and coastal surveillance posts.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump assured that his country will guarantee the security of the maritime passage and stated that Washington will eventually become the "guardian" of the strait.

“We’re going to hit them very hard, and we’re going to keep the strait safe, and we’re probably going to manage it. We will become the guardian of the strait (…) And we should be compensated for that,” the president maintained.

Trump has justified this demand by arguing that numerous countries obtain significant economic benefits from the maritime traffic that circulates through this strategic route, through which traditionally about a fifth of the world's commercialized oil transits. “They are on our side, and you can't expect us to do that for free (…) What we want is to be reimbursed for doing all of this, for putting our people in harm's way,” Trump stated.

“We hit them very hard last night. Every time they send a drone, we hit them very hard. What nobody knows is that we had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it,” he said to justify the latest bombings.