Trump Vows Hard Response After Iran Strikes US Bases

President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to "hit Iran hard" after the United States and Iran exchanged fire for the first time in over a month, marking a significant escalation in their ongoing conflict. The confrontation began Sunday when U.S. forces struck Iranian targets on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan. U.S. Central Command stated that its forces took "limited, precise action" against two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after observing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel preparing to launch rockets armed with sea mines into the strategically vital waterway.