▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled high-intensity retaliation against Iran following an attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan.
In a report on the 31st local time, Fox News reporter Trey Yingst stated that he had a phone conversation with President Trump, during which Trump said, "We will hit Iran hard," and indicated that a response is coming.
President Trump explained that U.S. air defense systems intercepted all but one missile, and that the remaining single missile was allowed to pass because it was not targeting a critical objective, according to reporter Yingst.
President Trump also reportedly claimed that U.S. sanctions against Iran are having a powerful effect.
The United States carried out airstrikes the previous day against Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Two rocket launchers used for laying mines by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were targeted in the bombardment.
Iran immediately counterattacked, targeting Jordan, where a U.S. military base is located.
This marked the first U.S. military strike against Iran in a month, following the previous action on the 29th of the month before last.
If retaliation takes place once again as Trump has warned in response to Iran's counterattack, there is a strong possibility that military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz will escalate significantly once again.
However, given that the U.S. military targeted only two mine-laying rocket launchers the previous day, some analysts suggest there was an initial intention to avoid a wider conflict.
A high-ranking Iranian source also told Reuters that this exchange of fire was a "limited and controlled confrontation," adding that if attacked again, Iran would respond strongly.
With reaching an agreement with Iran proving difficult, President Trump had considered a massive bombing campaign, but shifted direction toward strengthening economic pressure amid burdens regarding the depletion of U.S. weapon stockpiles and potential escalation.
The previous day, President Trump posted an AI-generated video on his social media platform Truth Social showing Iran's largest crude oil export hub, Kharg Island, on fire, and claimed it is "being shattered into pieces."
Iran dismissed the post as "laughable."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.