Trump Vows to Protect Israel Amid US-Iran Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on Wednesday evening to protect Israel against escalating tensions with Iran, stating, "Israel doesn't have to worry. You know why? Because I'm the president and I will take care of Israel." He made these remarks during a brief phone interview with Israel's Channel 12.

The president's comments followed a series of U.S. strikes targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps sites, including locations on Qeshm Island, Chabahar, and Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the operation aimed at air defense sites, radars, maritime infrastructure, mine-laying capabilities, and communication facilities. Washington claims these strikes were a response to Iranian efforts to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. military personnel in the region. Trump also alleged that Iran attempted to lay mines in the strait and launched missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan.

Trump warned that any Iranian retaliation would result in "much harder and much higher level" strikes, with a larger operation remaining "in reserve." Iran subsequently launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. bases in Jordan. The Jordanian army reported thirteen projectiles were fired into the kingdom, with ten intercepted and three exploding in unpopulated areas. Two U.S. officials told Reuters that no American service members were injured in Jordan. Iranian media also reported a drone attack on a U.S. base in Bahrain, though this remains unconfirmed. Explosions were heard in Kuwait, where the military stated its air defense systems were engaging Iranian missiles and drones.

Iran's Health Ministry reported that the U.S. strikes resulted in at least 18 deaths and over 108 injuries. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz cautioned that increasing economic and military pressure on Iran could provoke Tehran into a direct confrontation with Israel. "We are ready, defensively and offensively, in coordination with the United States," Katz stated. "If they attack because of Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, Gaza, or simply because they decide to, our planes are ready to take off."

Concurrently, Trump denied seeking to compel Iran back to negotiations, expressing a preference for the current U.S. stance, citing near-total control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's collapsing economy.