US President Donald Trump has vowed to deliver “a beating” to Iran after the latest attacks on US military sites in the Middle East. The president made the threat during an expletive-laden interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, where he promised to “beat the f***ing s*** out of them”.
The comments come a day after Iran said it attacked US forces at a military base in Jordan, marking the latest salvo in a five-month-long conflict. The attack was followed by a ceasefire that dissolved in early July.
Trump’s remarks threaten to once again derail the latest detente between Washington and Tehran, which began with 13 consecutive days of attacks on January 3. A ceasefire agreement reached last month aimed to bring an end to the violence but has yet to be implemented.
The US paused its strikes for several days starting on Saturday following a five-day pause in war that lasted from February 28 to March 4. The pause was part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran, which included measures aimed at reducing Iranian missile tests and limiting Iran’s access to the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest attack on US forces in Jordan is believed to be one of several incidents targeting American military installations in the region. Experts have warned that Iran maintains the ability to conduct a grinding asymmetrical war due to its limited air defense capabilities, despite having a significant advantage in terms of military superiority.
US officials have expressed concerns about the impact of Iranian attacks on US forces deployed in the Middle East, with at least 18 American soldiers killed since the war began. The Pentagon has warned that Iran’s ability to inflict deadly damage on military installations is a concern due to its limited air defense capabilities and lack of modernization efforts.
The Trump administration has repeatedly sought ceasefires that would allow it to frame the conflict as a strategic victory, but critics have argued that such an approach could be seen as abandoning US troops in harm’s way. The latest attack on US forces in Jordan is just one example of Iran’s willingness to target American military installations and personnel.
The White House has offered a more staid response to Trump’s comments, with a spokesperson stating that the meeting was “positive and productive”. However, experts have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such meetings in resolving the conflict.
Netanyahu described his meeting with Trump as “excellent”, but critics argue that it did not address the underlying issues driving the conflict. The Israeli prime minister has long been perceived as influencing Trump to take a more aggressive approach towards Iran, and Netanyahu’s comments suggest that he is pushing for further escalation of the war.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. As the US continues to pause its strikes in response to Iranian attacks, it remains unclear whether the ceasefire will be sustained or if new hostilities will break out.
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
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