Trump Vows Strong Response to Iranian Attacks: 'It Is Our Turn'

President Donald Trump declared that the United States will respond forcefully to recent Iranian attacks targeting American interests in the Middle East. "We are going to hit them very hard because it is our turn now. They know it is coming," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed responsibility for ballistic missile attacks on a U.S. airbase in Jordan. Trump stated these projectiles were intercepted. Additionally, Washington suspects Iran was involved in a drone attack on a U.S. vessel transporting liquefied gas to Egypt.

Trump acknowledged receiving requests, allegedly from Iran and its regional allies, to de-escalate the conflict. However, he reiterated his commitment to retaliating against the attacks. "They fired. So now it is our turn and we will see if we reach an agreement at some point. But we are going to hit them very hard," he asserted.

This exchange of attacks follows a period of heightened tensions. Trump had previously ordered a halt to U.S. strikes against Iran last Friday, in an effort to create conditions for negotiations to end the conflict. The recent actions represent a significant escalation, despite previous attempts at de-escalation.