Trump vows to hit back 'hard' after first exchange of fire with Iran in weeks

Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "hard" after the two countries traded fire for the first time in over a month, late Sunday into Monday.

Iran's president called for dialogue instead of further fighting. The exchange raised fears of a return to major hostilities after six months of war centered on the Strait of Hormuz.

Why did the US attack Iran today?

The United States said it struck Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak in the Strait of Hormuz to stop Tehran from planting mines in the shipping lane. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates hours later.

What did Trump say about hitting Iran hard?

"We're going to hit them hard," Trump said, according to a Fox News reporter who spoke with him briefly. "There will be a response," he added. Earlier Monday, Trump had called Iran a "Failed Nation," saying on social media that its military was decimated, its finances were crumbling, and its leadership was in total disarray.

What did Iran say about the US strikes?

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the ballistic missile attack on two US air bases in Jordan caused "heavy damage." Iran also said it targeted US personnel at an air base in the UAE and shot down an American drone over Hormuz. President Masoud Pezeshkian later called for dialogue, saying continuing the war was "neither in our interest, nor in the interest of the region."

How many casualties resulted from the latest strikes?

State media reported that two people were killed in the US attack on Larak, with several others wounded. Jordan's army said it intercepted eight missiles without stating their origin. Trump told Fox that all missiles fired at US forces had been shot down, except one determined not to pose a threat. Abu Dhabi said it intercepted a drone over its waters but dismissed claims that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted as "baseless."

What is happening at the Strait of Hormuz?

The two sides are still vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran having blocked commercial shipping through the passage since the war began and attacked vessels attempting to cross. One-fifth of the world's oil passed through the strait before the war, which was triggered by a surprise wave of US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Despite traffic remaining throttled six months on, Trump has claimed the US navy has "total control" of the strait and has even called it US territory, with Washington announcing last week that it had completed clearing explosives from the waterway. Iran insists it is in charge of the sealane. The Revolutionary Guards said Monday that a "rogue" oil tanker caught fire near the strait after hitting two mines while attempting to transit an "illegal route," a claim the US military called "disinformation," stating: "No ships have hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz."

Has diplomacy made progress between Iran and the US?

Mediators have tried for months to broker an end to the war, but an earlier truce and memorandum of understanding fell apart. Sporadic attacks resumed but ultimately tapered off, with the US last striking Iran on July 29, after attacking the country for 13 consecutive nights earlier that month.

What did Iran's foreign minister say about Netanyahu?

With diplomacy stalled, Iran's foreign minister on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of tricking Washington into going to war. "In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel," Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. "In English, he praises POTUS' leadership. Serpent."