U.S. President Donald Trump [AP=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 8th (local time) that he would authorize airstrikes against Iran for the second consecutive day.

President Trump, who is currently attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, 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 previously conducted airstrikes on approximately 80 targets within Iran the day before in response to attacks by Iranian forces on civilian oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The President's remarks signify an intention to continue these operations.

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

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