Trump Vows to Hit Iran 'Hard' After First Exchange of Fire in Weeks

President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to harshly retaliate against Iran following their first exchange of fire in weeks. This came as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to continue the economic pressure campaign, aimed at weakening Tehran's economy. After six months of war, both nations remain at a stalemate, with Iran keeping the crucial Strait of Hormuz closed and the US maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.

On Sunday, the US launched strikes on an island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran swiftly retaliated by targeting US military installations in the Middle East. The incident sparked concerns of renewed major hostilities, prompting Trump to declare, "We're going to hit them hard." He assured that there would be a response to Iran's actions.

Iran, in response, launched missile and drone attacks on Jordan and the UAE, claiming these targets were US forces. However, Trump later claimed that all missiles fired at US forces had been shot down, except one. Jordan's army reported intercepting eight missiles but offered no evidence linking them to Iran. Iran also announced targeting US personnel at an air base in the UAE, shooting down an American drone over Hormuz.

Abu Dhabi claimed to have intercepted the drone over its own waters, dismissing claims of an attack on Al Minhad Air Base as "baseless."

Additionally, a tanker leaving the strait reported being hit by three unknown projectiles near Oman, though experts dismissed this as disinformation. The exchange of fire occurred after weeks of relative calm, with the Trump administration shifting to economic warfare against Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged for dialogue, stating that the solution lies in returning to the previous deal.