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President Donald Trump declared the US would strike back forcefully after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at American forces stationed in Jordan on July 28, 2026. The missiles were all intercepted, with no reported damage or casualties, but the attempted strike has pushed an already volatile US-Iran standoff closer to open war.
Trump did not mince words. In remarks following the attack, he said the US would be “hitting them very hard because it’s our turn to hit them,” adding in characteristically blunt fashion that the US would “beat the fucking shit out of them.”
What happened
The missile launch occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time on July 28, with multiple ballistic missiles fired from Iranian territory toward US positions in Jordan. The targeted base serves as a critical node in American military operations across the Middle East.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) labeled the incident an “attempted surprise attack” originating from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces inside Iran. Patriot missile defense systems intercepted all incoming projectiles.
The attack was reportedly a retaliatory move by Tehran, responding to earlier US-Saudi military operations against Iranian-backed groups operating in Iraq.
A conflict that keeps compounding
The US and Iran have been locked in an escalating cycle of military actions throughout 2026, punctuated by failed negotiations and tit-for-tat strikes. At the center of the tension sits Iran’s nuclear program and its network of proxy forces spread across Iraq and Syria.
Trump indicated that diplomatic channels would remain open alongside military action.
Jordan’s role in this is worth noting. The kingdom has long served as a relatively stable platform for US military operations, and an Iranian strike aimed at forces there represents a direct challenge not just to the US but to Jordan’s sovereignty.
What the markets are watching
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, sits squarely within the conflict zone. Any disruption there, or even the credible threat of one, tends to send crude prices higher.
Geopolitical crises of this scale also tend to drive capital toward traditional safe havens like gold and US Treasuries. Bitcoin and other digital assets have sometimes benefited from similar flight-to-safety dynamics, particularly among investors who view them as uncorrelated to traditional financial systems.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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