U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Monday (August 31, 2026) to hit Iran “onerous” after the 2 foes traded fire for the first time in weeks, as his Treasury secretary vowed to maintain up a strain marketing campaign geared toward hobbling Tehran’s economic system.
After six months of conflict, the foes stay at an deadlock, with Iran protecting the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed and the U.S. persisting with a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
On Sunday (August 30), the US carried out strikes on an Iranian island within the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran shortly retaliating by attacking U.S. army targets in West Asia.
The alternate raised fears of a return to main hostilities, with the U.S. President vowing to reply.
“We’re going to hit them onerous,” Mr. Trump stated, in accordance with a Fox Information reporter who spoke to him briefly. “There can be a response.”
The USA stated it attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak to stop Tehran planting mines in the important thing transport lane.
Iran responded with missile and drone assaults geared toward Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, saying they focused U.S. forces there, however President Masoud Pezeshkian in a while Monday referred to as for dialogue.
“We proceed to try for a path of settlement and understanding, and we imagine that persevering with the conflict is neither in our curiosity, nor within the curiosity of the area,” he stated at a summit in Kyrgyzstan, including “the answer to the present issues is dialogue and cooperation.”
Missiles, drones
State media reported that three folks have been killed within the U.S. assault Sunday on Larak, with a number of others wounded.
Iran’s highly effective Revolutionary Guards stated the ballistic missile assault focusing on two U.S. air bases in Jordan brought on “heavy injury”.
However Mr. Trump advised Fox that each one the missiles fired at U.S. forces had been shot down, apart from one which was decided to not pose a menace. Jordan’s military stated it had intercepted eight missiles, with out stating their origin.
Iran additionally stated it focused U.S. personnel at an air base within the UAE, and shot down an American drone over Hormuz.
Abu Dhabi stated it intercepted a drone over the nation’s waters, however dismissed claims that Al Minhad Air Base had been focused as “baseless.”
The Guards reported knocking out a second U.S. drone over the Hormuz on Monday night, and Iran’s armed forces central command reiterated a warning to its regional neighbours to not enable the US to make use of their territory to hold out assaults.
A tanker leaving the strait reported being hit by three “unknown projectiles” simply off the northeastern fringe of Oman, the U.Ok. Maritime Commerce Operations company stated late Monday, noting that there have been no recognized environmental impacts or casualties.
‘Proceed exerting strain’
The alternate of fireside got here after weeks of relative calm, with the Trump administration not too long ago pivoting to “financial warfare”.
Earlier on Monday, Mr. Trump had referred to as Iran “a Failed Nation”, saying on social media that its army was decimated, its funds have been crumbling “and their management is in whole disarray”.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to maintain up the financial ache.
“We’re going to proceed exerting strain, and we’ve had excellent discussions right here already,” Mr. Bessent advised reporters at a G20 assembly in North Carolina.
He stated a turning level within the strain marketing campaign might come “inside weeks or months”.
Iran is exerting financial strain of its personal by way of its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which has roiled world markets and pushed up costs for American voters in a carefully fought midterm election yr.
One-fifth of the world’s oil handed by way of the strait earlier than the conflict.
Hormuz flashpoint
Regardless of site visitors remaining throttled six months on, Mr. Trump has claimed the U.S. navy has “whole management” of the strait, with Washington final week saying it had accomplished clearing explosives from the waterway.
Iran, nonetheless, insists it’s in control of the ocean lane. The Revolutionary Guards stated Monday {that a} “rogue” oil tanker caught fireplace close to the strait after it hit two mines whereas trying to transit an “unlawful route.”
The U.S. army referred to as the declare “disinformation,” saying: “No ships have hit mines within the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mediators have tried for months to dealer an finish to the conflict, however an earlier truce and memorandum of understanding fell aside.
Iran not too long ago has been making an attempt to push the U.S. to return to the earlier deal, with Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi telling state TV on Monday that “the answer is totally clear and simple: the US should return to its commitments”.
“In that case, every thing may be put again heading in the right direction,” he stated.
Revealed – September 01, 2026 07:05 am IST
