President Trump signals a heavy military response to Iran's surprise ballistic missile strike on US forces in Jordan.
President Trump signaled a firm military response following Iran's surprise ballistic missile strike on US forces in Jordan and the seizure of three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The administration announced a heavy wave of strikes against dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in response to Tehran's move, which ended a period of which the administration had previously sought to maintain. President Trump stated that the United States would "beat the f**king sh*t out of them" and promised a heavy beating for Iran. President Trump attributed the previous pause in fighting was a result of Iran's polite request for talks, but Tehran's decision to the resume fire showed a growing willingness to use military force to shape the war on its own terms. The attack occurred shortly after a meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The administration's response also included joint strikes with Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, demonstrating a user-growing involvement of Saudi Arabia in the conflict.