US Strikes Iran, Escalating Tensions; Trump Warns of Devastating Retaliation

President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the United States is not attempting to force Iran back into nuclear negotiations, dismissing reports to the contrary as "fake news." He expressed satisfaction with the current situation, citing near-total control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's collapsing economy, while questioning when the Iranian people would resist their government. However, U.S. officials informed The Wall Street Journal that there are no plans to escalate the military campaign in Iran, despite a House committee chairman anticipating increased fighting after a briefing.

U.S. forces conducted strikes targeting locations in Qeshm Island and the port city of Chabahar, near the Gulf of Oman, as well as sites associated with the Revolutionary Guards in Bandar Abbas. These actions were in response to Iran's attacks on U.S.-affiliated shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including two Saudi oil tankers. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that at least 11 Iranian civilians were killed in the U.S. attacks, and cited a provincial governor confirming U.S. bombs hit Chabahar and Konarak counties. The Revolutionary Guards threatened to completely close shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation.

Iran responded to the U.S. strikes by firing ballistic missiles towards Jordan, Bahrain, and other U.S. interests in the Middle East. The Jordanian military reported intercepting 10 out of 13 missiles launched into its territory, with the remaining three exploding in remote areas without casualties. U.S. bases in northern Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait were also reportedly attacked. An American official described the Iranian response as "ineffective," with no U.S. casualties or significant damage reported.

President Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social, stating that if Iran retaliates against the "justified" U.S. attack, it will face a much stronger and escalating response, ultimately leaving "very little" of the Islamic Republic. A Revolutionary Guards spokesman countered that severe punishment awaits the attackers and the U.S. will regret its actions. Trump later told Fox News that the Iran nuclear deal was worthless. The U.S. Embassy in Israel issued a security advisory to its citizens in the Middle East, urging caution due to potential escalation and unpredictable developments.

Earlier, Trump had vowed a strong response to a previous Iranian missile attack targeting bases in Jordan, telling Fox News, "We are going to hit them hard." He also noted a possibility for talks, though he remained skeptical about reaching an agreement, attributing leverage to sanctions. An Iranian official told Reuters that the confrontation remained "limited" and Iran would respond severely if attacked.