US ‘locked and loaded’ for ‘much higher’ strikes if Iran talks fail as Trump pauses Hormuz ops

President Trump paused U.S. naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz to allow for negotiations, warning that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign. Iran continues to attack commercial vessels and U.S. forces, which officials say remain below the threshold of restarting major combat operations. Trump indicated the attack level would be much higher if the deal fails, raising concerns about an escalation of the conflict.