Trump vows to hit Iran “hard” after first exchange of fire in weeks

Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran "hard" after the United States and Iran exchanged fire for the first time in more than a month.

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We’re going to hit them hard.

The United States said it struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from planting mines in the key shipping route. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at US forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump told a Fox News reporter, "We’re going to hit them hard," adding, "There will be a response." Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a ballistic missile attack on two US air bases in Jordan caused heavy damage. Jordan’s army said it intercepted eight missiles but did not identify their origin. Iran also said it targeted US personnel at a base in the UAE and shot down an American drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Abu Dhabi confirmed that it intercepted a drone over its waters but called claims that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted baseless.

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There will be a response.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a different tone at a summit in Kyrgyzstan, saying, "We continue to strive for a path of agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is neither in our interest, nor in the interest of the region." He said dialogue and cooperation offered the solution to existing problems.

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We continue to strive for a path of agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is neither in our interest, nor in the interest of the region.

Iranian state media reported two deaths and several injuries from the US attack on Larak. The exchange followed weeks of relative calm and came as the Trump administration shifted toward what Trump called economic warfare. The conflict had lasted six months, with Iran keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and Washington maintaining a naval counter-blockade.

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The solution to the existing problems is dialogue and cooperation.