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. The command described the Iranian forces as posing an "imminent threat" to shipping. Iranian state media reported that two people were killed and several others wounded in the U.S. strike.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. air bases in Jordan, identified by Iranian sources as the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases. Jordan's military reported intercepting at least eight missiles that entered its airspace. Iran also claimed to have targeted the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, but the UAE's...