Archive · 3 Sep 2026
US-Iran Strikes Escalate as Tehran Warns of New Strategy
The United States and Iran exchanged attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said American forces attacked Iranian targets.
He said Iran had tried to place mines in the water and had fired eight missiles at a US base in Jordan.
Trump said the missiles were stopped and the mines were removed or exploded.
US Central Command said the strikes were also connected to attempted attacks on ships and American service members.
Iran said it was defending itself by attacking US military targets in several countries and in Erbil, Iraq.
Iran also asked nearby countries not to let the United States use their territory for attacks.
Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran would use a new military, diplomatic and economic strategy.
The two sides gave different explanations for why the attacks happened.
The United States said it launched large strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump said the strikes responded to Iran's alleged attempt to place sea mines and launch eight missiles at a US base in Jordan.
US Central Command said the attacks followed attempted Iranian Revolutionary Guard attacks on commercial shipping and American personnel.
Iran said it retaliated against US military targets in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Erbil, Iraq.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran's new battlefield, diplomatic and economic strategy would challenge the United States.
- Who
- The United States and Iran, including US President Donald Trump and Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei.
- What
- The countries exchanged military strikes, while Iran warned of a new strategy against the United States.
- When
- On Tuesday, after the heaviest exchange of military strikes between the two countries in weeks.
- Where
- Near the Strait of Hormuz, with reported Iranian strikes involving US military targets in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Erbil in Iraq.
- Why
- The United States said its strikes responded to attempted Iranian attacks involving sea mines, missiles, shipping and US personnel; Iran described its retaliation as self-defense.
United States Account
Iranian Account
What triggered the strikes
United States Account
The United States said it acted in retaliation for Iran's attempted placement of sea mines, missile launches toward a US base, and attempted attacks on shipping and American personnel.
Iranian Account
Iran said its attacks were an exercise of its inherent right of self-defense and urged regional countries to prevent US forces from using their territory for attacks.
Nature of the military action
United States Account
Donald Trump called the US attack justified and warned that any Iranian retaliation would bring a much harder response.
Iranian Account
Iran warned that a new strategy involving the battlefield, diplomacy and opposition to the economic blockade would undermine the United States.
- US-reported targets
- Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz
- Reported missiles
- Iran allegedly fired eight missiles at a US military base in Jordan; the United States said all were intercepted.
- Sea mines
- Donald Trump said Iran attempted to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz and that they were removed or detonated.
- Iranian-reported targets
- US military targets in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Erbil in Iraq.
- US justification
- The United States cited attempted attacks on commercial shipping and American service members.
- Iranian justification
- Iran said its attacks were conducted under its inherent right of self-defense.
- Iranian warning
- Mohsen Rezaei said Iran's new battlefield, diplomatic and economic strategy would challenge US foundations.