US to strike Iran 'hard tonight,' says Secretary of War Hegseth

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated on Wednesday that American forces would launch a forceful strike against Iran "tonight," echoing threats previously made by President Donald Trump.

Hegseth told reporters in Florida, after a meeting with Central Command military leaders, that the command would be "very busy" carrying out the attack. This statement came as President Trump assured the press that the U.S. would strike Iran "hard again today" following earlier airstrikes conducted in retaliation for the alleged downing of a helicopter.

"We hit them hard yesterday, and today we are going to hit them hard again," Trump said during an event at the White House. The situation is marked by speculation about a potential rupture in U.S.-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

The past night was described as the worst since the ceasefire established on April 8. U.S. forces had attacked several targets in southern Iran in response to the helicopter incident in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, reportedly responded with bombings against 21 U.S. military targets across the Middle East, including Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, a claim that Washington has denied.

The escalating military actions and rhetoric from both sides heighten tensions in the region, with the status of ongoing diplomatic talks remaining uncertain.