US President Donald Trump has warned of severe retaliation against Iran following a sudden escalation in military strikes between the two nations.
The renewed hostilities began on Sunday when US forces targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launchers on Iran's Larak Island. According to US Central Command the preemptive strike aimed to stop the imminent deployment of sea mines into the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported three deaths including two IRGC members.
In immediate retaliation, Iran launched overnight attacks targeting US military installations across the Middle East. The IRGC confirmed it fired ballistic missiles at two US air bases in Jordan and launched dozens of explosive drones at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to Fox News, President Trump stated that US air defenses intercepted most of the incoming Iranian fire and preventing significant damage. However, he promised further military action with declaring, "We're going to hit them hard. There will be a response."
These military exchanges mark a dangerous shift in a conflict that had recently settled into an economic standoff. Last week, Washington intensified its financial pressure and imposing "secondary sanctions" to further isolate Tehran's battered economy.
Despite the military escalation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a diplomatic tone at a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan. He stated that continuing the war serves no one's interest and emphasized that Tehran remains open to a negotiated resolution.
Meanwhile, Trump drew criticism for posting fabricated, AI-generated videos on social media depicting explosions at an Iranian oil terminal. The US Vice President's office defended the post with stating Trump was simply "sending a message."
