Ankara: US President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will retaliate against Iran following missile and drone attacks on American forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 'We're going to hit them hard. There will be a response,' Trump told Fox News.

According to Anadolu Agency, US air defense systems intercepted most of the incoming fire. One missile was identified as "not going to hit anything significant," and US forces allowed it to pass through the airspace, Trump said. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for striking the King Hussein and Azraq airbases in Jordan with ballistic missiles and targeting Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE with explosive drones.

The IRGC stated that their operation was a response to a US strike on Larak Island on Sunday, which reportedly aimed to prevent the placement of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route. This US attack marked the first strikes on Iranian territory since late July, following the end of a two-week bombing campaign against Tehran after President Trump declared a June memorandum of understanding was over.

President Trump expressed doubt about a diplomatic resolution, noting that Tehran is eager for negotiations. He mentioned that the Iranians "want to meet so badly" but questioned their reliability in making a deal. Furthermore, Trump highlighted the effectiveness of current US sanctions, stating they are "kicking in strongly." The US recently initiated Operation Economic Outcast, targeting Iran's critical economic sectors, which Tehran claims violates international law and has termed 'economic terrorism.'

Source: Anadolu Agency