On Tuesday, July 29th, 2026, former US President Donald Trump vowed that the US military would hit Iran "hard" following a missile attack against US bases in Jordan. Trump reportedly told Fox News in a phone interview, which was not broadcast, that the US would "beat the f****** s***" out of Iran in response to the surprise strikes.

The missile attack by Iran targeted American forces stationed in Jordan, prompting a forceful reaction. Subsequently, the US, in coordination with Saudi Arabian forces, launched strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), these militias had been directed by Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack Saudi and US forces in the region.

The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) reported that at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 injured in the US and Saudi strikes.

Trump had paused US attacks against Iran over the preceding weekend after 13 consecutive days of strikes. Some US media outlets suggested the pause was partly due to concerns over dwindling interceptor missile supplies used to defend American bases and allies, though US officials publicly rejected these claims.

The recent escalation risks further destabilizing the region and potentially returning it to all-out war.

Sources