WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump vowed to respond to Iranian strikes that were intercepted in Jordan as fighting with Iran resumed after a brief pause in which the United States stepped up efforts to target Tehran’s economy.
"We're going to hit them hard," Trump told Fox News on Aug. 31, according to reporter Trey Yingst, who spoke to the president by phone. "There will be a response."
The U.S. struck Larak Island on Aug. 30, the first attack on Iran since late July. Iran responded by lauching missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan.
The strike threw into question the administration's plans to shift away from military operations in Iran and put economic pressure on the country through sanctions as a way to inflict damage. The Trump administration last
week announced new economic sanctionson Iran and threated to put secondary sanctions on countries that have financial transactions with Iran as part of an effort it is calling Operation Economic Outcast.
In an interview with USA TODAY from Brussels, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that the crossfire and Trump's remarks do not necessarially mean the U.S. is resuming to its military campaign.
"The president obviously maintains all the possible options at his discretion, and he's not going to sit by and let the Iranians attack the United States or our allies. But that doesn't mean that we don't continue the blockade," Whitaker said. "It doesn't mean we don't continue the egress and ingress out of the Strait of Hormuz. I think it all continues."
Whitaker said the U.S. can do both at the same time and that there are plenty of military assets available to carry out a military assault.
Trump's threat came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missile strikes on two U.S. bases overnight in Jordan in response to U.S. forces striking two Iranian launchers on Larak Island Aug. 30. It was the first time the United States attacked Iran since July 30 in a war that reached its six-month mark Aug. 28.
Two people were killed and others were injured in the attack on Larak Island, Iran state media reported. No injuries were reported at either U.S. base from the intercepted strikes in Jordan.
Trump, in a Truth Social post early Aug. 31, said Iran is "officially a Failed Nation" and touted the U.S. approach.
"IT IS DEAD! They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police, Inflation is at 300%, and their leadership is in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country," the president wrote.
Tim Hawkins, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said in a statement that the U.S. attacks on Larak Island came after Iranian forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. He said two launchers were struck.
Hours after the attacks resumed, Trump posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting depicting Kharg Island, an Iranian oil export hub, under attack from missiles and engulfed in flames. There is no evidence such an attack took place. An Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, dismissed Trump's post as "laughable."
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison and Francesca Chambers @fran_chambers
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump vows US response to Iranian strikes: 'Going to hit them hard'
