Middle East war: Trump threatens to hit Iran ‘hard’ as strikes resume

United States President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to hit Iran “hard” after the two countries traded fire for the first time in weeks.

After six months of war, the foes remain at an impasse, with Iran keeping the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed and the U.S. persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iranian ports.

On Sunday, the United States carried out strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran quickly retaliating by attacking U.S. military targets in the Middle East.

The exchange raised fears of a return to major hostilities, with Trump vowing to respond.

“We’re going to hit them hard. There will be a response,” he said.

The United States said it attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak to prevent Tehran planting mines in the key shipping lane.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying they targeted U.S. forces there, but President Masoud Pezeshkian later on Monday called for dialogue.

“We continue to strive for a path of agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is neither in our interest, nor in the interest of the region,” he said at a summit in Kyrgyzstan, adding that “the solution to the existing problems is dialogue and cooperation”.

State media reported that three people were killed in the U.S. attack on Larak, with several others wounded.

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Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards said the ballistic missile attack targeting two U.S. air bases in Jordan caused “heavy damage”.

However, Trump told Fox News that all the missiles fired at U.S. forces had been shot down, except for one that was determined not to pose a threat. Jordan’s army said it had intercepted eight missiles, without stating their origin.

Iran also said it targeted U.S. personnel at an air base in the UAE, and shot down an American drone over Hormuz.

Iran recently has been trying to push the United States to return to the previous deal, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying on Monday that “the solution is completely clear and straightforward: the United States must return to its commitments”.

“In that case, everything can be put back on the right track,” the minister added.