US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Iran 'very hard' in response to a drone attack on a US-owned LNG tanker in Egypt, according to an interview with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. The interview covered a range of topics including the ongoing conflict with Iran, strikes in Iraq, and economic impacts.
Trump stated: 'We will hit Iran very hard because it's our turn.' He also said, 'We'll be hitting them hard. They're going to get a beating.' The comments follow a missile attack on US forces in Jordan and a drone attack on a US-owned LNG tanker at Egypt's Damietta port. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported the attack on the tanker 'Energos Winter,' with no casualties and the fire extinguished.
We will hit Iran very hard because it's our turn.
Trump described Iran-backed militias as 'cancer of the world' and said he intends to issue a warning to Iran-backed groups. He claimed that US forces had only a few minutes to respond to the attack and that Iranian missiles were shot down before reaching targets, characterizing it as a surprise attack. Trump also stated that Iran knows the attack is coming and they ask the US not to do it.
$90 per barrel
Brent crude oil price surged approximately 7% to $90 per barrel after Trump's statements.
The interview also touched on coordination with Iraq. Trump stated that US-Saudi strikes in Iraq were coordinated with the Iraqi government. However, the Iraqi presidency condemned the bombing as 'an unacceptable attack and a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty,' rejecting the use of Iraqi territory to launch attacks on neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones launched by Iran-aligned groups, and the joint air operation in Iraq followed attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Trump commented on reports that Iran is acquiring Chinese-made portable air defense systems or rocket launchers, stating it would be surprising because Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him China would not be involved in supplying arms to Iran. Trump also called UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to open North Sea oil fields 'sensible' and said the UK would be very wealthy if it does, while also addressing immigration issues.
On the economic front, Brent crude oil price rose approximately 7% to $90 per barrel after Trump's statements, while gold fell 0.8% to below $4,000 per ounce and silver fell 0.5% to below $57. The BIST 100 index dropped 1.5% and the banking index dropped 3.5%. The rise in energy costs due to geopolitical tensions may cause central banks to keep interest rate policies tighter.
Updates
The United States has resumed airstrikes inside Iran, marking the first such attacks since President Trump paused a thirteen-night bombing campaign last Friday to pursue diplomatic avenues. Amid this escalation, CENTCOM confirmed that two U.S. service members were killed in previous Iranian strikes on Jordan, while Iranian media reported four deaths from joint U.S.-Saudi attacks in Iraq. President Trump warned that Iran would pay 'many times over' and noted that despite an apology from the Iranian side, the U.S. must still 'smack them a little bit.' Additionally, the IRGC has vowed to retaliate today, asserting full control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States resumed airstrikes inside Iran on Wednesday night, marking the first such attacks since President Trump paused the previous 13-night bombing campaign on Friday to allow for diplomacy. Amid these developments, CENTCOM confirmed that two US service members were killed in Iranian strikes on Jordan, while Iranian media reported four fatalities from joint US-Saudi attacks in Iraq. President Trump stated that while Iran has apologized, they must still be countered, declaring that the nation will pay 'many times over'.
The United States has resumed airstrikes inside Iran, marking the first such attacks since President Trump paused the previous 13-night bombing campaign for diplomacy. Amidst the renewed hostilities, CENTCOM reported that two U.S. service members were killed in Iranian strikes on Jordan, while Iranian state media claims four Iranians died in joint U.S.-Saudi attacks in Iraq. Trump responded to the escalation by stating that while Iran has offered an apology, the country will pay 'many times over' for its actions.
The United States has resumed airstrikes inside Iran, marking the first such military actions since President Trump paused the previous 13-night bombing campaign on Friday. Amid these hostilities, CENTCOM confirmed that two U.S. service members were killed in Iranian strikes on Jordan, while Iranian media reported four fatalities from joint U.S.-Saudi attacks in Iraq. President Trump stated that Iran has offered an apology, though he insisted the country will pay 'many times over' for its actions. Meanwhile, the IRGC has vowed retaliation, asserting firm control over the Strait of Hormuz and declaring that aggressors will be punished.
The United States resumed airstrikes inside Iran on Wednesday night, marking the first attacks since President Trump had paused the bombing campaign on Friday. Meanwhile, CENTCOM reported that two U.S. service members were killed during Iranian strikes on Jordan, and Iranian media claimed four Iranians died in joint U.S.-Saudi attacks in Iraq.
The United States resumed airstrikes inside Iran on Wednesday night, marking the first attacks within Iranian territory since President Trump paused the bombing campaign on Friday. Amidst these developments, CENTCOM reported that two US service members were killed during Iranian strikes on Jordan, while Iranian media claimed four Iranians died in joint US-Saudi attacks in Iraq. Additionally, the IRGC vowed immediate retaliation, claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz following reports that Iran targeted commercial tankers there.
