Washington: US President Donald Trump has threatened tougher action against Iran following attacks on American personnel in Jordan, saying the United States could strike Iranian targets with greater force.
Trump claimed that Iran’s economy, military and leadership had already suffered extensive damage, but said this did not mean Washington would refrain from launching further attacks.
The US president said that despite weakening Iran, the United States could target the country again if necessary.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that the country’s air defence system had shot down a US drone in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The claim came after Trump’s latest warning.
Iranian state media reported that three people were killed and several Iranian fighters and civilians were injured in a US attack on Larak Island.
Iran said it responded to the attack by targeting US military positions in Jordan as well as American military targets at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE Ministry of Defence, however, denied Iran’s claim that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that an oil tanker leaving the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman, was struck by three unidentified missile-like objects.
The latest US strikes, Iranian retaliatory actions and Trump’s renewed warnings have further heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
