Early Wednesday, President Trump issued a stern warning to Iranian leaders, urging them to reconsider their nuclear ambitions as tensions between Washington and Tehran extended beyond two months. He emphasized the urgency for Iran to “get smart soon” and abandon its nuclear pursuits.

Trump took to Truth Social around 4 a.m., posting a striking AI-generated image of himself in a dark suit, wearing aviator sunglasses, and holding an AK-47 amid dramatic explosions. Accompanying the post was the phrase, “No more Mr. Nice Guy!”

The White House has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s refusal to engage in talks about its nuclear program. Iran maintains that discussions on this topic should be postponed until a peace agreement is reached and the Strait of Hormuz is fully accessible for shipping.

During a Monday interview with Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the nuclear issue as the core reason for the ongoing conflict. He explained, “Iran’s revolutionary goals extend beyond its borders, influencing groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas, and supporting militias in Iraq. Their ambitions aren’t limited to dominating Iran but extend to the entire region. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose an even greater threat.”

Rubio further elaborated on the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which about 20% of global oil flows annually. He referred to it as “an economic nuclear weapon” that Iran is leveraging against the world, noting that Tehran openly boasts about its ability to disrupt a significant portion of global energy supplies.

Rubio went on to describe the Strait of Hormuz, through which an estimated one-fifth of the world’s oil passes every year, as “an economic nuclear weapon that [Iran is] trying to use against the world, and they’re bragging about it. They’re putting up billboards in Tehran bragging how they can hold 25% or 20% of the world’s energy hostage.

“Imagine if those same people had access to a nuclear weapons. They would hold the whole region hostage.”

Trump’s Wednesday morning post came hours before War Secretary Pete Hegseth was due to answer questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the first time since Operation Epic Fury began Feb. 28.

The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to discuss the administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion — but the war with Iran is expected to dominate proceedings.