US-Iran Tensions Escalate as Trump Warns Tehran “Will Pay the Price”
US President Donald Trump has vowed harsh retaliation against Iran after American forces struck Iranian air defence systems near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter, which left two pilots stranded before they were rescued off the coast of Oman. On social media, Trump labelled Iran a “complete and total mess” and threatened that the “Bully of the Middle East” would suffer consequences for what he called delays in negotiations. US Central Command said fighter jets targeted key radar sites, ground control stations and defence batteries in the region. In response, Iran launched missiles at US bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. Most were intercepted, but the exchange underscores the growing risk of miscalculation in a strategically vital corridor for global oil shipments. The flare-up also raises concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US will co-host and Iran plans to attend. Analysts warn that further escalation could unsettle markets and overshadow the event.
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