CENTCOM says the operation was a direct response to Iran’s attempted missile attack on US forces
The United States launched a series of “powerful” retaliatory strikes on Iran on Wednesday, a day after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan, sharply escalating tensions between the two countries.
The strikes mark the first direct US attacks on Iranian territory in nearly a week after President Donald Trump had temporarily paused planned military action to allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
US confirms retaliatory operation
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had launched strikes against targets in Iran, describing the operation as a direct response to Tehran’s attempted missile attack on US personnel stationed in the Middle East.
“US forces began launching strikes against Iran at 8 pm ET today. The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.
The US military has not yet released details of the locations targeted or the extent of the damage.
Trump vows tough response
Hours before the strikes, President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to Iran, promising a forceful military response after Tehran launched ballistic missiles towards a US military installation in Jordan.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the United States would respond decisively.
“We are going to beat the f*ing s**t out of them,” Trump said.
“We’ll be hitting them hard. They’re going to get a beating,” he added.
Trump also said American air defence systems intercepted all the incoming missiles before they could strike the US base, adding that military personnel had only minutes to react.
Iran claims responsibility
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile attack, saying it had launched several ballistic missiles at a US Army air base and a CENTCOM facility in Jordan.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC described the strike as retaliation against what it called aggressive actions by the United States.
The IRGC warned that its campaign would continue as long as it believed US actions threatened Iran’s interests.
“As long as threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and illegal and evil actions by American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by IRIB.
It also demanded that Washington stop issuing threats against Tehran.
The latest exchange of military action has further heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, even as diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran remain open.
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