Hormuz Strait: 'We're going to hit them hard' — Trump issues new threat to Iran

On Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran, stating that he would strike back "hard" following a recent exchange of fire between the two adversaries, which marked the first such incident in weeks. 

Meanwhile, his Treasury Secretary reaffirmed the commitment to a pressure campaign designed to cripple Tehran's economy.

After six months of conflict, both sides find themselves at a stalemate, with Iran maintaining its closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the US continuing its counter-blockade of Iranian ports. 

On Sunday, the United States conducted airstrikes on an Iranian island located in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a swift retaliation from Tehran, which targeted US military installations in the Middle East. This escalation has heightened concerns about a potential resurgence of significant hostilities, with the US president pledging a response.

“We’re going to hit them hard,” Trump said, according to a Fox News reporter who spoke to him briefly. “There will be a response.” The United States said it attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak to prevent Tehran from planting mines in the key shipping lane.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes aimed at Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, claiming these actions were directed at US forces stationed there.

However, President Masoud Pezeshkian later on Monday advocated for dialogue, stating,

"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 emphasized that "the solution to the existing problems is dialogue and cooperation."