United States President Donald Trump has threatened a strong military response against Iran after Tehran reportedly launched retaliatory missile attacks targeting American military positions in Jordan.
Key Highlights
- Trump threatens military retaliation
- Iran launches missiles at US bases
- Jordan intercepts Iranian missiles
- Tensions escalate between Washington, Tehran
- Iran signals openness to dialogue
Trump issued the warning after the Iranian attacks, which followed a United States military operation against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’re going to hit them hard. There will be a response,” Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst during a telephone conversation.
The latest exchange has heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, raising fresh concerns about a wider military confrontation in the Middle East.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched ballistic missiles at two military bases housing US forces in Jordan.
Tehran described the attack as retaliation for an earlier American strike against Iranian Revolutionary Guard launchers on Larak Island.
Jordanian authorities said their air defence systems intercepted the missiles, while Trump claimed that almost all the projectiles fired during the attack were brought down.
Iran’s retaliation came hours after American forces carried out what Washington described as a limited and precise military operation against Iranian positions on Larak Island.
The US Central Command said the Iranian launchers targeted in the operation were being prepared to deploy rockets capable of laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington said the operation was intended to protect commercial shipping and prevent what it described as an imminent threat to vessels passing through the strategic waterway.
Trump also intensified his verbal attacks on Tehran in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he described Iran as a “Failed Nation” and declared that “IT IS DEAD.”
The US president accused the Iranian government of suffering political and economic collapse, making several claims about the country’s military capabilities, economy and internal situation.
Trump also alleged that Iranian authorities had killed more than 100,000 protesters and accused the country’s leaders of committing what he described as “war crimes against humanity.”
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The claims and figures were made by Trump without supporting evidence.
His latest comments came as Washington weighs its next move following the reported Iranian attacks.
Trump also said Tehran was interested in holding talks with the United States but expressed doubts about whether Iran could be trusted to honour any agreement reached through negotiations.
“They want to meet so badly,” Trump said, while questioning the reliability of any future deal with Tehran.
Despite the escalating military confrontation, Iran has continued to signal an interest in a negotiated settlement.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained open to resolving the conflict through dialogue with Washington.
He said continued warfare was not in the interest of Iran, the Middle East or the international community.
The contrasting messages from both governments have created uncertainty over whether the latest confrontation will lead to a wider military conflict or eventually force both sides back to the negotiating table.
The Strait of Hormuz has once again emerged as a major flashpoint in the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran.
The strategic waterway remains one of the world’s most important routes for global energy supplies, and any prolonged disruption could have significant consequences for international oil markets.
Washington has accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping through its military activities around the strait.
Iran also claimed to have targeted a US military facility in the United Arab Emirates with drones.
However, UAE authorities said the alleged attack was intercepted and denied that Al Minhad Air Base was hit.
The renewed hostilities have already increased concerns in global energy markets, with oil prices rising amid fears that a wider conflict could disrupt supplies and commercial shipping.
Trump’s latest threat has now raised the prospect of another round of military strikes between the United States and Iran, even as Tehran publicly maintains that it is willing to pursue a negotiated solution to the crisis.
The situation remains tense, with the next military or diplomatic move by either Washington or Tehran likely to determine whether the confrontation escalates further or moves towards renewed negotiations.
