Trump vows to hit Iran hard after first exchanges of fire in a month

US President Donald Trump vowed to intensify military strikes against Iran following the first exchanges of fire between the two nations in a month, amid a conflict that had recently transitioned from an economic standoff to the potential for open conflict once again. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at two US air bases in Jordan in response to a US attack on Iran's Larak Island, where Washington claimed it had targeted Iranian launchers firing mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump, as reported by Fox News, declared, "We're going to hit them hard," adding that there would be a response. Iran's military spokesman informed Reuters that the overnight conflict was limited and contained, yet pledged a strong retaliation if attacked again. The US defense secretary confirmed that US air defenses successfully intercepted all Iranian missiles, preventing any damage.

However, Trump had posted misleading AI-generated videos claiming that Iran's main oil export terminal had been destroyed by explosions. Vice President JD Vance claimed that Trump's social media tactics were aimed at sending a message. So far, Washington has refrained from targeting Iran's major oil and gas infrastructure, a decision Iran warns would provoke devastating attacks on its Gulf neighbors.

Since late July, the conflict has primarily been an economic battle, with both sides leveraging shipping blockades in the Gulf to compel the other to back down. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attributed Iran's aggression to the impact of new sanctions on its struggling economy, predicting that additional secondary sanctions targeting third countries purchasing Iranian oil would be issued weekly.