What sparked the latest U.S. strikes against Iran

President Donald Trump declared on Monday that the United States would respond harshly to an Iranian attack on American bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Speaking to Fox News, Trump stated, "We're going to hit them hard. There will be a response." He added that US air defenses had intercepted nearly all of the Iranian missiles, with only one missile permitted to pass as it posed no threat.

Jordanian forces reported intercepting eight of the missiles. Trump also announced that US sanctions against Iran were being "kicked in really strongly." He noted Iran's willingness for talks but questioned whether its leaders could be trusted to reach a deal. The attack followed the United States' first missile and drone strike on Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz since the previous month.

US Central Command stated that the action taken was "limited and precise" and aimed at detecting Iranian preparations to lay new mines in the strait.

Last week, Trump had claimed that the US Navy had cleared the strait of mines, a claim Iran denied. On Monday, Trump referred to Iran as a "failed nation," claiming that its military and economy had been devastated, and its leadership incapable of governing. He tweeted on Truth Social, "Iran is officially a failed nation. IT IS DEAD!"

Trump further alleged that over 100,000 protesters had been killed by the Iranian government, though he did not provide evidence or a source for the figure. This number marked a significant increase from his previous estimate of over 54,000 killed in July. Trump called for Iran's leaders to face prosecution for "war crimes against humanity."