Iran promises to respond to new wave of US strikes despite Trump’s threats

Trump says the US attacks are ‘large and powerful’ and warns that Iran would be hit ‘much harder’ if it responds.Iran has promised to respond to a new wave of attacks by the United States military as fighting renews between the two countries.The Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military said on Tuesday that it struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Qatar says efforts under way to end Iran-US war and reopen Strait of Hormuzlist 2 of 3Iran and Russia vow to stand against US ‘unilateralism’list 3 of 3China’s Xi makes first visit to Egypt in a decade, amid regional turmoilend of list“The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region,” CENTCOM said.The IRGC was quick to vow that it will respond to the US strikes. “Severe punishment awaits the aggressors, and America will regret its new attacks,” the Guards’ spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said in a statement.Iran has previously targeted American bases in the region following similar attacks, so the US strikes risk sparking a new cycle of fighting.Iranian semiofficial news agency Tasnim reported explosions in the south of the country, including in Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.US President Donald Trump said the strikes on Tuesday were “large and powerful” and warned Iran against responding.“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!” Trump said in a social media post.The US president has repeatedly issued similar threats since the start of the war in February.The US State Department urged Americans in the Middle East on Tuesday to remain alert and prepare for travel disruptions, warning of “the potential for unforeseen escalation”.