Trump Threatens Retaliation Against Iranian Attacks on US Bases: We Will Strike Hard

US President Donald Trump has threatened to retaliate against Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting US forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Trump stated that the US response would strike Iran heavily.

“We will hit them hard. There will be a response,” Trump told Fox News, as reported by Anadolu Agency and AFP on Monday (31/8/2026).

Trump noted that US air defence systems successfully intercepted the majority of the incoming attacks. One missile was identified as “not hitting a significant target,” leading US forces to allow it to pass through the airspace, according to Trump.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) previously stated that they had attacked King Hussein and Azraq airbases in Jordan with ballistic missiles, while also targeting Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE with explosive-laden drones.

The IRGC stated that the operation was in response to US attacks on Larak Island on Sunday (30/8), which were reportedly aimed at halting the deployment of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route.

According to the Iranian military, the drone attacks were a response to the deaths of IRGC members and Iranian civilians on Larak Island. Tehran had previously reported that the recent US strikes resulted in casualties and injuries.

Trump also expressed doubt regarding any diplomatic breakthroughs, noting that although Tehran desires a meeting, current US sanctions are “having a strong impact.”

Meanwhile, the UAE has denied claims that Iran targeted an airbase housing US troops within its territory during the recent attacks on Monday (31/8), following the resurgence of hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

However, Abu Dhabi authorities acknowledged that their forces had intercepted an Iranian drone detected flying over their territorial waters.

The UAE Ministry of Defence, in a statement reported by AFP and Anadolu Agency on Monday (31/8), emphasised that reports of Iranian attacks on Al Minhad Air Base are “untrue.”