Trump vows to hit back 'hard' after first exchange of fire with Iran in weeks

In recent weeks, President Trump and his senior aides have been contemplating launching limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz to impede Iran's efforts to rebuild its radar, air defense, and anti-ship missile capabilities, a source disclosed. The initiative, devised by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and backed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has not yet received Trump's approval. However, the possibility of his greenlighting the strikes may arise following the recent escalation.

The primary objective of this plan is to mitigate the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, U.S. Navy vessels, and Air Force aircraft, essentially "mowing the lawn," as one official described. The White House has not commented on the matter.

Over the past two months, U.S. military forces have been progressively gaining control over most of the strait through a campaign aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities, maintaining a low-key operation to clear mines, and ensuring smoother passage of ships through the strait. This strategy has curtailed Iran's ability to target oil tankers while facilitating greater traffic and oil exports via the strait, thereby diminishing Iran's leverage over the vital waterway.

U.S. officials have expressed concerns over Iran's attempts to reestablish its radar, air defense, and anti-ship missile capabilities within the strait to target ships more precisely. A recent incident that heightened these concerns involved an Iranian anti-aircraft missile being launched towards a U.S. F-35 fighter jet providing cover to ships in the strait, though the missile did not approach close enough to be deemed a threat.

This act was interpreted by U.S. officials as Iran attempting to reconstitute its military capacity.

CENTCOM relayed to Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, and the White House that the military might need to carry out periodic strikes against Iran to facilitate the safe passage of dozens of oil tankers out of the Gulf daily. As of now, the White House leaned against approving the strikes to prevent further escalation with Iran.

However, Iran's ballistic missile attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan on Sunday, following the U.S. strike on Iranian troops preparing to launch rockets with mines into the strait, could potentially sway Trump's decision. Trump, speaking on Monday morning, announced that the U.S. would respond to the Iranian attacks "hard."