Midnight Hammer 2.0? White House Lists "Many Reasons" to Strike Iran Now

In a series of escalating declarations that have sent ripples through the international community, President Donald Trump has linked the current 24-hour war footing to the immediate security of the United Kingdom. Late Wednesday, the President used his Truth Social platform to issue a blunt warning: if Iran fails to accept a nuclear deal within the current window, the United States is prepared to utilize its most strategic overseas assets to neutralize the threat. Trump specifically named the island of Diego Garcia and the RAF Fairford airfield in Gloucestershire as essential hubs for a military campaign intended to "eradicate a potential attack" from what he described as a "highly unstable and dangerous regime." This rhetoric was mirrored by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed that while diplomacy remains the preferred path, the administration has already identified "many reasons" to initiate a kinetic strike against Iranian infrastructure.

The Diego Garcia Ultimatum

President Trump’s focus on Diego Garcia comes at a critical moment for British foreign policy. He took the opportunity to publicly challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him not to move forward with a 99-year lease agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Trump categorized the deal as a "big mistake" and a "tenuous, at best, 100-year lease," arguing that such a move represents an act of weakness in the face of global threats. "Do not give away Diego Garcia!" the President urged, suggesting that the loss of absolute control over the island would be a "blight" on the alliance.

The President’s concern is rooted in the belief that Iran is preparing to expand the scope of a potential war to include "the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries." By emphasizing the need for Diego Garcia and Fairford, Trump is signaling that any American-led operation would likely involve long-range heavy bombers capable of striking deep into the Iranian interior. White House officials reinforced this stance, stating that the President's social media posts should be viewed as official administration policy. They noted that the success of "Operation Midnight Hammer" last year proved the effectiveness of American air power, and the military is ready to repeat those results on a much larger scale if Tehran continues to reject the administration's red lines.

"Many Reasons" for a Strike

During a press briefing this evening, Karoline Leavitt provided a chilling summary of the current administration's mindset. When asked about the probability of a strike, she noted that the justifications for military action are numerous and that the previous destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities has not yet led to the required diplomatic breakthrough. "Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump," Leavitt added, emphasizing that the "other options" mentioned by the Vice President are being actively refined.

The shift in language from the White House suggests that the internal debate in Washington has moved past the question of "if" and is now focused on "when" and "how." With the 24-hour clock ticking and the US military completing its buildup, the President’s warning to London serves as a reminder that the coming war will not be a localized event. By highlighting the vulnerability of the UK and the necessity of British airfields, Trump is effectively placing his European allies on a war footing alongside Israel. As the deadline for a diplomatic proposal from Tehran nears, the message from the Oval Office is clear: the American "armada" is ready, the targets are locked, and the bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford are prepared to serve as the launchpads for a new era of regional war.