"Iran has declared that they will 'strike very hard, more fiercely than ever before'," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social early on 1/3. "They had better not do that, because if they do, we will respond with power never before seen!" Trump continued. "Thank you for your interest! Donald J. Trump."

U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on 27/2. Photo: AP

The warning followed a joint U.S. and Israeli military strike on the morning of 28/2, which targeted Iranian defense and intelligence facilities, along with several high-ranking officials and generals. Iran confirmed that the attack resulted in the deaths of multiple senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour, National Defense Council head Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

In response, the IRGC today announced its intention to launch "the most intense offensive in history" against U.S. bases in the region. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned the U.S. and Israeli leaders as "evil criminals" who would face "devastating blows" for their actions. "You have crossed our red line and will pay the price. We will strike so hard that you will beg for mercy," Ghalibaf stated.

Targets hit by Iran in retaliation against the U.S. and Israel on 28/2. Graphic: CNN

Earlier, on 28/2, Iran had already launched missile attacks targeting several nations with a U.S. military presence, including Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain. These countries were forced to activate their air defense systems to intercept the incoming missiles and subsequently reported both material and human casualties.

By Nhu Tam (Reuters, AFP)