US President Donald Trump has pledged a major military escalation against Iran following recent Iranian attacks on US military sites in the Middle East. In an interview with Fox News, Trump reportedly used expletives, vowing to "beat the f****** s*** out of them" and promising to "hit them hard."

The comments came a day after Iran claimed responsibility for an attack on a US military base in Jordan. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US airbase and CENTCOM center, warning that "resistance will continue as long as threats against Iran and illegal actions by American forces continue."

CENTCOM described the attack as an "attempted surprise attack" and stated that all missiles were intercepted, with US forces remaining at a high state of readiness. The incident follows the killing of three US soldiers at a base in Jordan on July 17, highlighting Iran's ability to inflict deadly damage.

The Iranian strikes were launched hours after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Netanyahu has long been perceived as pushing Trump toward a more aggressive stance on Iran, though the two allies have diverged on war strategy.

Israel reportedly seeks regime change in Iran, while the Trump administration has repeatedly pursued ceasefire deals. Trump has alternated between diplomacy and threats, including proposals to seize Iran's Kharg Island and strike nuclear sites, which experts say could constitute war crimes.

Public opinion polls show low US support for the war, with even MAGA members questioning the costs, including rising fuel prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu described his meeting with Trump as "excellent," while the White House called it "positive and productive."

Source: www.aljazeera.com