U.S. President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran after surprise attacks were launched against American forces in the Middle East, according to Fox News on Wednesday. The president reportedly threatened “beat the f***ing s***” out of Iran in response to the attack, which came just days after Washington concluded almost two weeks of nightly strikes against Iranian military targets.
Trump Issues Shocking Threat on Iran
President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order alongside Kid Rock in the Oval Office, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
President Donald Trump signs executive actions to support the coal industry at an Unleashing American Energy Executive Order event, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
Speaking during a phone interview with Fox News, President Trump reacted angrily to the Iranian attack and warned that Tehran would now face severe military consequences. According to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, the president said that the United States should “beat the f***ing s***” out of Iran, adding, “They’re going to get a beating.”
The comments are among the strongest made by the president about strikes against Iran, perhaps only overshadowed by his previous threat to destroy an “entire civilization” with a bombing campaign.
Earlier in the month, Trump had issued similar threats to expand attacks against Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Tehran refused to negotiate.
Iran Launched Surprise Attack
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles toward a U.S. military installation and regional command facilities in Jordan, according to Iranian state media reports.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also issued a statement confirming that it had successfully intercepted all incoming missiles during what it described as an “attempted surprise attack” on American forces at approximately 5:45 pm Eastern Time. No U.S. casualties were reported, though CENTCOM said all personnel remained on heightened alert following the attack.
“At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness,” the statement reads.
Alleged Oil Tanker Strikes
Iran also announced that its naval forces had struck three oil tankers that it alleged were violating its continuing blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said that the vessels had attempted to transit the strait without authorization despite repeated warnings, though it did not identify the ships or provide evidence to support its claims.
U.S. military officials did not immediately comment on the incident, and it cannot be confirmed at this time.
U.S. and Saudi Arabia Respond
Within hours of the Iranian attack, U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran-backed militia positions throughout eastern Iraq. CENTCOM said that the operation targeted logistics hubs and weapons depots, as well as other military facilities. The armed groups to which those facilities belonged are said to have conducted more than 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks against American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure within the last 72 hours.
“U.S. Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq, July 28, against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure,” a CENTCOM statement reads.
“The unwarranted attacks against U.S. forces were not successful. From February through April 2026, there were more than 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq,” it continued.
CENTCOM also warned that “the IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response.”
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization that includes several Shiite militias aligned with the Islamic regime, confirmed that a number of its headquarters buildings had been struck. The PMF also confirmed multiple casualties.
Iraq’s president also condemned the operation as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia Responds
Separately, Saudi Arabia acknowledged the military action against Iran-backed threats but insisted it did not seek a wider regional conflict.
A statement issued on X described how Saudi forces “conducted precise and targeted strikes against objectives belonging to those militias located on the territory of the Republic of Iraq and linked to the attacks on petroleum facilities in the Kingdom.”
“The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” the statement continued.
Oil Markets and Shipping Face More Pressure
Oil prices climbed following the strikes, with Brent crude rising by 7% to almost $90 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed to more than $84 per barrel after traders priced in the growing risk of the war expanding.
Meanwhile, disruption also continues in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the south of the Strait of Hormuz, where Houthi attacks have slowed commercial traffic moving through the Red Sea.
The renewed violence in the region and the immediate risk of a major escalation could see prices rise even further as the U.S. now mulls new action against the Islamic regime.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, producing and editing analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at 19FortyFive and National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
