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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump vowed to respond to Iranian strikes that were intercepted in Jordan as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed after a brief pause."We're going to hit them hard," Trump told Fox News on Aug. 31, according to reporter Trey Yingst, who spoke to the president by phone. "There will be a response."Trump's threat comes after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missile strikes on two U.S. bases overnight in Jordan in response to U.S. forces striking two Iranian launchers on Larak Island Aug. 30. It was the first time the United States attacked Iran since July 30 in a war that reached its six-month mark Aug. 28.Two people were killed and others were injured in the attack on Larak Island, Iran state media reported. No injuries were reported at either U.S. base from the intercepted strikes in Jordan.Trump, in a Truth Social post early Aug. 31, said Iran is "officially a Failed Nation.""IT IS DEAD! They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police, Inflation is at 300%, and their leadership is in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country," the president wrote.Tim Hawkins, U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said in a statement that the U.S. attacks on Larak Island came after Iranian forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. He said two launchers were struck.Trump briefly shifted from military operations in Iran, arguing economic pressure on the country through sanctions is a more effective way to inflict damage. The Trump administration last week announced new economic sanctions on countries that supported Iran in an effort called Operation Economic Outcast.Hours after the attacks resumed, Trump posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting depicting Kharg Island, an Iranian oil export hub, under attack from missiles and engulfed in flames. There is no evidence such an attack took place. An Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, dismissed Trump's post as "laughable."Contributing: ReutersReach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
