President Donald Trump personally warned Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst about impending U.S. military action against Iran just hours before American forces launched a new round of strikes targeting the country’s military infrastructure.
According to Yingst, Trump spoke with him by telephone from the Situation Room shortly before the attacks and described the operation that was about to unfold.
The president later confirmed through social media posts that he believed Iran would face severe consequences after negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
“Iran’s Military is a complete and total mess,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added that much of the country’s naval and air capabilities “doesn’t even exist anymore” and warned that Iranian leaders would “pay the price” after taking too long to negotiate.
U.S. Central Command announced that additional self-defense strikes began at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time against multiple targets in Iran at the direction of the commander in chief.
The military said the operations were conducted in response to what it described as Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression.”
Yingst later reported that Trump told him “the bombing will stop shortly” after speaking directly with senior Iranian officials who had requested that the United States halt its military campaign.
According to Yingst’s account, Trump also disclosed that 49 Tomahawk missiles were fired during the operation and that some targets were located within 40 miles of Tehran.
The president reportedly said American fighter aircraft were simultaneously operating over Iranian airspace to destroy radar installations and air defense systems in the southwestern portion of the country.
When asked what would happen if Iran refused to accept an agreement proposed by American negotiators, Yingst said Trump responded, “We’ll bomb the ‘S’ out of them tomorrow night.”
Trump also reportedly told the Fox correspondent, “We’ve hit them hard tonight.”
Approximately two hours after the conversation, Central Command announced that the strikes had concluded successfully.
Military officials said U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy assets used precision-guided munitions against Iranian surveillance capabilities, communications systems and air defense sites that posed threats to American forces and commercial shipping in the region.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the operation before the strikes began, saying the administration remained open to negotiations while simultaneously preparing to use military force if necessary.
“If we need to negotiate with bombs, we’ll negotiate with bombs, and we’re very good at it,” Hegseth said during remarks at U.S. Central Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
He added that the night’s targets were intended to strengthen America’s diplomatic position while advancing military objectives.
Hegseth also argued that U.S. capabilities to gather intelligence and penetrate adversary networks had improved significantly should broader combat operations become necessary.
Meanwhile, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., suggested he remained skeptical that Iran’s leadership would ultimately agree to a deal with the Trump administration.
Kennedy, who recently received a classified briefing from Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper, said the president faces difficult choices if negotiations collapse entirely.
“I’m not sure that it will do any good in terms of destroying their weapons to do more bombing,” Kennedy said.
The Louisiana senator argued that any decision to introduce American ground troops would require extensive discussions with Congress and a review of intelligence supporting such a move.
“Before the president sends in troops, we all need to sit down and talk about it,” Kennedy said.
He added that lawmakers should receive intelligence briefings before any escalation involving U.S. forces.
The latest military action represents another escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran as negotiations continue alongside military operations.
Trump has maintained that military pressure and diplomacy are complementary tools designed to produce an agreement favorable to American interests, NBC News reported.
The administration has not publicly indicated whether additional strikes are planned beyond those announced by Central Command, though officials have emphasized they will continue responding to threats against U.S. personnel and international shipping.