U.S. Military: 'We Have Begun a Wave of Strikes in Iran'; Trump: 'I Gave Them So Many Chances'

U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday evening that its forces had begun striking targets belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The statement said that “the strikes are a response to the IRGC’s recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and against U.S. service members.”

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement, writing: “The U.S. is attacking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes are extensive and powerful, and they come in response to the Iranians’ failed attempt to lay naval mines in the strait, where there are now no mines at all (they were completely removed or detonated!), as well as in response to the Iranians launching eight missiles at our military base in Jordan, all of which were successfully intercepted.” Interceptions were seen over Aqaba, Jordan, from Eilat.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump added: “The agreement with Iran is not worth the paper it was signed on. I gave Iran so many chances. If the failed nation of Iran responds to this very justified attack, it will be struck again, with far greater and harsher force. But even that will not be the biggest attack of all. That is still waiting at the door, and when it is over, very little will remain of the Islamic Republic of Iran!”

At the same time, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued an unusual warning to American citizens, recommending that they prepare for significant flight disruptions and airspace closures in the region, amid fears of a security flare-up and escalation in the Middle East.

An IRGC spokesperson issued a statement following the American strike: “A severe punishment awaits the American aggressors. They will yet regret the new strikes they carried out.” Several missiles were later launched from Iran toward the American base in Jordan.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported an American strike in the port city of Asaluyeh in Bushehr, one of the country’s main energy and gas hubs. The port of Bandar Abbas and the port on Qeshm Island were also attacked. Alongside the American strikes, Bahrain’s Defense Ministry announced that launches from Iran toward the country had been detected. No further details were reported.

As previously reported, U.S. President Donald Trump convened a security meeting at the White House last night ahead of a possible strike in Iran. According to reports, Trump was considering a Central Command (CENTCOM) plan to carry out limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, in order to prevent Iran from restoring its radar and missile capabilities for attacking ships.

Earlier yesterday, Trump said that the U.S. would respond to the attack on the American base in Jordan overnight between Sunday and Monday, as well as the missile launch toward a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump noted that he would “most likely approve a strike in Iran, but the strategy was and remains: economic pressure and a blockade on Iran, not a full-scale war.” The Americans are preparing for the possibility of an Iranian response following an American strike in Iran.