U.S. President Donald Trump defended the U.S. military's targeted airstrikes against Iranian forces as a fully justified measure on September 1 (local time), warning that Iran will face even more powerful retaliation if it takes further retaliatory actions.

Shortly after the U.S. began its strikes against Iran, President Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "The United States is right now striking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz."

He added, "This attack is massive, powerful, and in retaliation for Iran's failed attempt to add mines to a currently mine-free strait, and the eight-missile attack on the Jordanian military base, all of which were successfully intercepted."

President Trump went on to warn, "If Iran, a failed state, retaliates against this very justified attack, they will be hit again much harder and at a higher level, though that won't be the biggest attack. The biggest attack is still standing by, and when it is over, there will be almost nothing left of Iran."

The U.S. military struck Larak Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz on August 30.

The action was taken because Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was spotted preparing to fire missiles equipped with naval mines into the strait.

Breaking a lull in armed clashes that had lasted about a month, the U.S. preemptive strike was met with an immediate response from Iran, which fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan.

President Trump explained that the U.S. attacks on this day were retaliatory measures for that response, having already foreshadowed retaliation against Iran in a phone call with a Fox News reporter the previous day.

In a phone call with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst on this day, President Trump also threatened, "Today's airstrikes were very powerful, and if a third attack is launched, Iran will be completely annihilated as a nation," as reported by Yingst on air.

When asked which IRGC facilities were hit, President Trump stated, "Many radar facilities," and added, "Iran tried to rebuild its radar systems, but the United States kept a close watch and struck before construction was completed."

He also emphasized, "The new aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which arrived in the Middle East last week, is fully loaded with ammunition."

This appeared to be a threat against Iran, refuting views that the U.S. would not easily expand the conflict due to weapon shortages.

Regarding the possibility of reaching any form of agreement with Iran, President Trump dismissed the notion, saying, "An agreement with them is not worth the paper it's written on. We gave them plenty of opportunities."

This is interpreted as an intention to continue selective military strikes against actions threatening safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, along with an "economic pariah operation" to squeeze Iran's financial lifelines and a maritime blockade against the country.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)