Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, arguing that the military campaign lacks a clear objective and has increased economic pressure on American families. Schumer stated that the administration entered the war without a plan to end it, putting U.S. troops at risk as the campaign enters day 136.

Schumer Slams Trump’s Strategy

Schumer took to X to accuse Trump of failing to develop a strategy for ending the conflict. He stated that the administration had no plan and no exit strategy on the first day of the war and that the situation remains unchanged. The Democratic leader also criticized Trump for ignoring bipartisan legislation passed by Congress aimed at ending U.S. involvement.

"Our service members are in harm’s way. Working families are forking over a fortune for gas and groceries," Schumer wrote.

Democrats Cite Rising Costs

Sen. Adam Schiff said the conflict has added billions in costs for Americans, including an estimated $56 billion increase in gas spending. He argued that Trump has failed to bring the war to an end despite the financial burden on citizens.

Sen. Tim Kaine criticized any potential expansion near the Strait of Hormuz, calling it reckless and warning of higher prices and further risks to U.S. troops. Sen. Chris Murphy said previous administrations avoided war with Iran because of the potential for chaos and economic damage, accusing Trump of ignoring those consequences.

Trump and Iran Clash

President Trump said U.S. strikes on Iran would continue, warning of further attacks if Tehran refused to negotiate. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s proposed 20% Strait of Hormuz cargo fee, arguing that Iran was the rightful guardian of the strategic waterway.

Iran's state news agency IRNA has reported that a site on Hengam Island was struck by U.S. projectiles, marking a significant addition to an already escalating series of incidents in the region. This follows earlier reports from Mehr News Agency confirming that Qeshm Island sustained multiple attacks attributed to the United States, with no damage reported from those strikes.

Strikes Reported Across Multiple Islands

The latest IRNA report identifies Hengam Island as a new site struck by U.S. projectiles, broadening the scope of the reported military activity beyond Qeshm Island. Mehr News Agency had previously indicated that Qeshm Island was attacked multiple times by the United States, yet no damage was confirmed as a result of those strikes. The developments represent a notable escalation from initial accounts, which described only unexplained explosion sounds in the area, as first reported by Fars News Agency.

Developing Situation

The sequence of reports reflects a rapidly evolving situation across Iran's southern island region. The incident was first flagged by Fars News Agency with accounts of explosion sounds, before Iran's official news agency attributed strikes directly to U.S. projectiles on Qeshm Island. Mehr News Agency subsequently confirmed multiple attacks on Qeshm, and IRNA has now reported an additional strike on a site at Hengam Island. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the specific targets, the scale of the strikes, or any casualties across either location.