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United States (US) President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Iran “hard” after both sides exchanged fire for the first time in weeks.
The renewed tensions followed US strikes on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.
Washington said the attack targeted Iranian rocket launchers to prevent Tehran from planting mines in the key shipping route. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We’re going to hit them hard. There will be a response,” Trump said.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for dialogue, saying continued war was not in Iran’s interest or that of the region.
“We believe that continuing the war is neither in our interest, nor in the interest of the region,” Pezeshkian said.
Iranian state media reported that three people were killed and several others wounded in the US strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said its missile attack on two US bases in Jordan caused “heavy damage.”
Trump said US forces intercepted all but one of the missiles fired at American targets, adding that the remaining missile posed no threat. Jordan’s military said it intercepted eight missiles but did not identify their origin.
Iran also claimed to have targeted US personnel at a UAE air base and shot down American drones over the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE said it intercepted a drone over its waters but rejected claims that Al Minhad Air Base was attacked.
The exchange comes after weeks of relative calm and a growing US economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would continue applying economic pressure on Iran, with a major impact possible within “weeks or months.”
The conflict has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies passed before the war.
Both Washington and Tehran have claimed control of the strategic waterway, while disputes over alleged mines have further increased tensions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged both sides to return to diplomacy following the latest escalation.
