Key facts
- President Trump warned of renewed and intensified attacks against Iran.
- Trump stated Iran's negotiators were 'playing us for suckers' and would 'pay the price' for stalled peace talks.
- The U.S. and allies condemned Iran-backed plots against dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities.
- A U.S. Army Apache helicopter was shot down near Oman.
- U.S. Central Command launched self-defense strikes against Iran in response to the helicopter incident.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retaliated with 21 attacks targeting U.S. bases.
- Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain reported interceptions of hostile aerial targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday he will renew attacks on Iran, stating that Tehran's peace negotiators "keep playing us for suckers" and that Iran "will have to pay the price" for stalled negotiations. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the U.S. would be "attacking them - attacking them very hard." The tensions escalated following the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that led to the rescue of two U.S. service members. In response, U.S. Central Command launched self-defense strikes against Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retaliated with 21 attacks targeting U.S. bases. Jordan reported intercepting five missiles launched from Iran towards Azraq, while Kuwait's air defenses engaged hostile aerial targets and Bahrain's Defence Force intercepted missiles targeting civilians. Trump also indicated to Fox News that potential targets could include Iran's power plants and bridges. Separately, the United States, Australia, European allies, and other nations issued a joint statement condemning Iran-backed groups for plots to kill Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities. The statement cited 'lethal plotting' and other actions by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Intelligence Organization, Quds Force, and Ministry of Intelligence and Security, as well as recent attacks in Europe claimed by pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI). The countries emphasized that such actions "undermine national sovereignty and international norms" and "must stop immediately."