Trump promises more strikes after US and Iran trade blows for first time in a month

President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Iran on Monday, following the country's overnight strikes against U.S. bases in Jordan. The U.S. and Iran exchanged retaliatory attacks for the first time in approximately a month. In a Fox News interview on Monday, Trump stated the U.S. would respond "hard" to the Iranian aggression.

The president likened Iran to a "Failed Nation" in a Truth Social post, asserting that Iran lacks a navy, air force, or currency and should be held accountable for war crimes. On Sunday, the U.S. targeted Iran's Larak Island in response to preparations for deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching at least eight ballistic missiles towards U.S. forces in Jordan, though U.S. forces reportedly intercepted all but one missile.

Trump assured Fox News that U.S. forces intercepted all missiles but one, as it posed no threat. Earlier this week, Trump announced that the U.S. had removed all mines from the Strait of Hormuz's primary shipping route, warning that any nation placing new mines would face immediate and systematic destruction.