President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday that any retaliation for the latest U.S. military strikes would trigger a significantly more powerful American response, as U.S. forces targeted Iranian sites near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the region.
Trump said the strikes were launched in response to Iranian actions near the strategic waterway, including an unsuccessful effort to place sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz and the firing of eight missiles at an American military installation in Jordan.
“The United States is, as we speak, striking Iranian Targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes are large and powerful, and in retaliation for the Iranians’ failed attempt at adding sea mines to the Strait, which currently has no mines (They have been completely removed or detonated!), and the Iranians shooting eight missiles, all successfully knocked down, at our Military Base in Jordan,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The president followed that announcement with an extraordinary warning that Washington was prepared to dramatically intensify its military campaign if Tehran responded to the latest attacks.
“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The U.S. strikes reportedly hit targets on Qeshm Island as well as locations in Chabahar and the Bandar Abbas area, all situated in or near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz region.
Separately, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued an alert to American citizens as tensions across the Middle East continued to rise. The advisory cautioned that the security situation could deteriorate without warning and potentially result in canceled flights, closed airspace and other significant travel disruptions.
“Iran and its supporters may harm American interests and sites affiliated with the United States and its citizens around the world. You must exercise increased vigilance, stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings, locate a protected area in advance, and follow the authorities’ instructions,” the embassy statement said.
{Matzav.com}
