Trump Threatens Iran With 'Much Stronger' Retaliation Amid Escalating Tensions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that any retaliation for ongoing U.S. strikes would be met with a "much stronger" response, potentially leaving "very little" of the Islamic Republic. Trump's comments, made via his social media platform, came in response to Iran's alleged attempts to plant naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz and the firing of eight rockets toward a U.S. military base in Jordan, which were reportedly intercepted.

These statements follow U.S. military actions targeting Iranian sites near the Strait of Hormuz and in southern Iran, described by the U.S. as "defensive and precise." The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets within Iran, citing Iran's attempts to target commercial and U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as the reason for the action.

In parallel, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei, criticized the European Union for acting as a "U.S. echo," urging Europe to choose between independent action or following others' policies. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that Tehran launched a "decisive" missile attack on U.S. military bases in Jordan in response to U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets. Iranian reports also mentioned two fatalities and several injuries from a U.S. strike on a wedding ceremony in Bandar-e-Kuhastak, southern Iran, though details remain unconfirmed.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened military retaliation if U.S. sanctions intensify, asserting Iran's control over the "battlefield" and its missile capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan, reaffirming Russia's commitment to maintaining trade relations with Iran despite regional tensions.

In a separate incident, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned hateful graffiti found on a mosque near Nablus that had been set on fire, emphasizing that such actions do not represent the broader Israeli or Jewish community. Reports from Gaza described an attempted abduction of a Hamas operative involving clashes and casualties, allegedly with Israeli air cover.