Trump Threatens Stronger Attack on Iran if They Launch Retaliation
US President Donald Trump responded to Iran’s stated intention to launch a retaliatory attack with a stern warning against Teheran proceeding with such action.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had previously threatened to conduct “fierce attacks” in retaliation for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following strikes by the US and Israel.
“Iran just stated that they will strike very hard today, harder than they have ever struck before. THEY BETTER NOT DO IT, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL STRIKE THEM WITH A FORCE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, as reported by BBC via detikNews on Sunday (1 March 2026).
The IRGC had previously warned it would strike US bases following Khamenei’s death in an air strike on Saturday (28 February) morning local time. Iran also labelled the US as a terrorist state.
“The most formidable offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces will commence against the occupied territories and American terrorist bases in the coming hours,” a statement said earlier.
Iran subsequently launched attacks on several US military bases in the Arab region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated the attacks targeted 27 US bases, as well as Israel’s Tel Nof Air Base, the Israeli military’s command headquarters at HaKirya in Tel Aviv, and a major defence industrial complex in the same city.
News agency AFP reported loud explosions heard on Sunday morning near Erbil airport, which serves as headquarters for US-led coalition forces in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. Thick black smoke rose from the airport area.
Israeli military subsequently stated it had responded to Iran’s missile attack. Israel activated air raid sirens across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank.
Several explosions were also reported in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Air raid warning sirens sounded in Kuwait, whilst Jordan reported it had intercepted Iranian drones. Countries neighbouring Iran have long hosted US military forces and equipment.