Ankara: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that American forces have initiated strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a stern warning to Tehran against any form of retaliation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, describing the military action as 'large and powerful.' He stated that the strikes were a response to Iran's 'failed attempt' to plant sea mines in the strategically important strait. Furthermore, he referenced an Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan, claiming that all eight missiles fired by Iran were successfully intercepted.

Trump cautioned Iran against retaliating, asserting that any response from Tehran would trigger a more severe US counterstrike. He mentioned that a more extensive attack was 'waiting in the wings,' which he claimed would leave 'very little' of Iran if further actions were taken.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump elaborated on the situation, suggesting that US forces targeted Iranian radar systems as they were being rebuilt. He reiterated that if Iran retaliated, it would lead to a significantly harsher response from the United States, and warned that a third confrontation could result in Iran being 'totally wiped out as a country.'

Earlier on Tuesday, the US Central Command confirmed that American forces had commenced strikes on targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The command explained that these actions were in response to attempted attacks by the IRGC on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American military personnel deployed in the region.