Trump warns Iran of 'much harder' attack after US strikes for second time in two days

The strikes came two days after US forces hit Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz, ending a month-long lull in fighting. Iran called Sunday's operation a deadly attack and retaliated by firing ballistic missiles at US bases in Jordan.

In Short

• Strikes follows alleged IRGC attacks on vessels and US troops
• Strait of Hormuz remains key flashpoint in confrontation
• Jordan intercepts eight Iranian missiles entering its airspace

US forces launched fresh strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the second American attack in two days, as President Donald Trump threatened a far more destructive assault if Tehran retaliated.

Explosions were reported across several Iranian coastal areas, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Jask and Sirik. Details about the targets, scale of the operation and possible casualties were not immediately available.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson warned that the United States would “regret its new attacks”, while Tehran threatened further disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

“America will regret its new attacks”, an IRGC spokesperson's short post said.

TRUMP THREATENS BIGGER ATTACK

Trump described the strikes as “large and powerful” and said they were carried out in response to Iran’s alleged attempt to place sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz and its firing of eight missiles towards a US military base in Jordan.

“If the failed nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level,” Trump said.

He warned that an even larger attack was “waiting in the wings” and claimed that once it was over, “there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Trump said mines in the strait had been removed or detonated and that all eight Iranian missiles fired towards the US base had been intercepted.

EXPLOSIONS REPORTED ACROSS IRANIAN COAST

Iran’s state broadcaster reported explosions on Qeshm Island, located along the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz.

State-linked Nour News reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas and in Chabahar on Iran’s southern coast.

The official IRNA news agency also reported the sound of explosions in Jask and Sirik. Iranian authorities had not immediately released details about damage or casualties.

IRAN WARNS OF STRONG RESPONSE

Hours before the latest strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan that Tehran would reciprocate immediately if Washington honoured its commitments under a June memorandum intended to halt the conflict.

Iranian officials, however, have shown no public sign of yielding to US pressure.

“If the enemy wants us not to export oil from the Persian Gulf, no one will be able to export oil,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was quoted as saying by Iranian media.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of being “addicted to making excessive demands” and mistaking negotiations for dictating terms.

He warned that Iran would use all its capabilities “whether on the battlefield or through our diplomatic apparatus”.

SECOND US ATTACK IN TWO DAYS

The latest operation came two days after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz, ending a month-long lull in fighting.

Iran described Sunday’s operation as a deadly attack and retaliated by firing ballistic missiles towards US bases in Jordan. Jordan said its armed forces intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace early on Monday.

US Central Command said IRGC forces had been preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strait. Iran acknowledged casualties in the US strikes and warned that Washington would face military and economic consequences.

The latest exchange marks another escalation in the conflict, which began on February 28 and has continued intermittently for more than six months.

NEW US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS LOOM

Before the latest strikes, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was likely to announce fresh sanctions against Iranian banks this week and next as part of an effort to “economically asphyxiate” the country’s leadership.

Speaking at a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, Bessent said the US was also considering sanctions against aircraft-leasing companies and other entities doing business with the IRGC.

“We have zero tolerance. We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime,” he said.

Bessent has also warned that countries continuing to do business with Iran could face US sanctions.

Iran has endured decades of American sanctions, many aimed at restricting its oil revenue and ability to obtain weapons components.

The renewed military confrontation and threat of further sanctions have revived fears of oil supply disruptions. Around 20 per cent of the world’s oil normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but commercial traffic remains far below pre-war levels.

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