US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will strike Iran “much harder” if it does not sign an agreement soon. During his meeting with reporters, Trump confirmed that the United States is negotiating with Iran, adding that “Pakistan requested a halt to Operation (Project Freedom) during the negotiations with Iran.” He stressed that his country would not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon. The US President expressed his hope that an agreement would be reached quickly with Iran. The US military reported that its forces responded to Iranian attacks while three destroyers were crossing the waterway with “self-defense strikes.” In statements to ABC News, Trump said that the ceasefire that has been in place for about a month "continues and is in effect," describing the American strikes as a "light blow." According to Trump, Iranian forces that were attacking oil tankers in the region were targeted. At the same time, Trump said on his platform, "Truth Social," that the American destroyers "very successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz under fire" and that they did not suffer any damage, while "the Iranian attackers suffered severe damage." The US President continued, saying: “Just as we defeated them again today, we will defeat them with greater force and with greater violence in the future, if they do not sign their agreement quickly!” The US military stated, at dawn today, that it launched counter-strikes on Iran on Thursday and targeted sites it said were responsible for attacking US forces in what it described as unjustified hostile acts on the part of Tehran. The US Army statement said that US Central Command: “eliminated incoming threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces, including missile and drone launch sites, command and control centers, and intelligence centers.” surveillance and reconnaissance.” The statement explained that Iran launched several missiles, drones, and small boats while three US Navy destroyers were crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The statement stressed that "no American assets were injured as a result of the Iranian attacks." The statement concluded by emphasizing that "we do not seek escalation, and our forces will remain stationed and ready to protect American forces."