Donald Trump commends 'gesture of goodwill' from Iran as US strikes continue

Donald Trump commends 'gesture of goodwill' from Iran as US strikes continue An American citizen was detained in December of 2024 and is now safely outside of Iran - Donald Trump said his country "appreciates this gesture of goodwill" by the Middle Eastern nation US President Donald Trump has praised Iran's "gesture of goodwill" after an American citizen was released after being detained for more than one-and-a-half years. His praise comes despite a ramp-up in the months-long conflict between the two countries. The US and Iran have been in on-and-off conflict since February 28 when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the region and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway. Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, July 15, wrote: " Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the "presidency" of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country. "She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" Iran's gesture did not stop the US from striking the Middle Eastern country on Wednesday. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted to X on Wednesday that forces had struck Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities. Coastal surveillance facilities were also hit to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners crewing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz." CENTCOM said it "used precision munitions to hit targets in multiple locations including Bandar Abbas." "Earlier this morning, American forces struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave," the statement read. "The U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction." One month ago, the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring the war to a close within 60 days. But Washington and Tehran have failed to bring about lasting peace and permanently restore international shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this week, Iran announced its full withdrawal from the MoU on what it said was American violations. Deputy Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran will exercise "full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, no matter the costs." This includes taking over Oman's half of the critical waterway. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was "over" at a NATO summit in Türkiye last week. "I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum," he told reporters.