Washington [US], July 30: The US president has threatened sweeping retaliation after US forces in Jordan intercepted an overnight barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles.
After an expletive-laden threat, Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst: "We'll be hitting them hard. They're going to get a beating." He said the missile attack gave American troops only minutes to react before they successfully intercepted the incoming projectiles.
Trump also said overnight air strikes carried out by US and Saudi forces against Iran-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq were conducted in coordination with the Iraqi government.
He described the groups as "a cancer on the world" and said his administration is weighing additional actions aimed at Iranian proxy groups.
Meanwhile the US Treasury on Wednesday announced sanctions on two companies linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that force commercial ships to pay insurance on passing the Strait of Hormuz.
"Although this coverage purports to protect vessels from risks such as seizures, these risks are overwhelmingly created by Iran itself," the US Treasury said, naming the companies as the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority.
The companies are also accused of generating revenue through the scheme, including by accepting digital payments intended to help circumvent international sanctions.
"The United States will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage or exploit international shipping to finance the IRGC's terrorism, aggression and repression," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The US Treasury also named eight shipping companies transporting sanctioned Iranian crude oil to China and the United Arab Emirates.The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the main flashpoints in the prolonged confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Source: Qatar Tribune
