President Donald Trump vowed to strike Iran 'very hard' after U.S. Central Command said it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles allegedly fired from Iran. Trump claimed five rockets traveling about 8,500 miles per hour were shot down and said 'it's our turn' to respond. His remarks mark an escalation in rhetoric and increase the risk of further U.S.-Iran confrontation.
Trump Vows to Strike Iran 'Very Hard' After U.S. Says It Intercepted Ballistic Missiles
President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran on Wednesday, saying the United States will strike 'very hard' a day after U.S. forces reported intercepting Iranian-launched ballistic missiles. The remarks, made during an Oval Office event, represent a fresh escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
What Trump Said
Speaking at the White House, Trump declared: 'In the meantime, we're going to be hitting them very hard because it's our turn to hit them. They know it's coming. They're asking us not to do it. But, you know, they tried shooting at [us] last night.'
'We had five rockets shot going 8,500 miles an hour and all five rockets were knocked down to the ground,' he added, asserting the launches had been intercepted. 'We'll see if we get there with an agreement at some point, but we're going to hit them very hard.'
Military Account
On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles fired from Iran, calling the incident 'an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.' CENTCOM's public statement provided limited operational details at the time.
Implications
The president's comments increase tensions in an already volatile region and raise the prospect of a U.S. response. Observers will be watching for further military updates, diplomatic efforts, and any evidence corroborating claims about the launches and interceptions.
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