WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that Iran will "have to pay the price" following a significant escalation in hostilities that saw overnight tit-for-tat strikes between Washington and Tehran.
The latest flare-up marks one of the most serious violations of the ceasefire agreed upon in April.
In a social media post on Truth Socials, Trump criticized Tehran for stalling on a potential diplomatic agreement.
"They've taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!" the President wrote. Reports suggest Trump is considering additional strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if a deal is not reached.
The escalation triggered a 2% jump in global oil prices and caused stock markets to dip as regional tensions intensified.
Tit-for-Tat Strikes Near Hormuz
The US military conducted a four-hour operation, hitting nearly 20 Iranian targets, including air defenses and surveillance sites. Central Command described the strikes as a "proportional response" to the downing of a US Apache helicopter by an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missile and drone attacks targeting US bases in Jordan.
Initial assessments indicate that most Iranian projectiles were intercepted by US and allied air defences, with no immediate reports of American casualties or significant damage.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated it will reassess its diplomatic engagement with Washington, citing repeated ceasefire violations.
"Any diplomatic process requires a minimum stable environment," said spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Despite the violence, back-channel efforts continue. Qatari negotiators reportedly traveled to Tehran on Wednesday following consultations with US officials in a bid to finalize a peace agreement.
The ceasefire, agreed in early April, was intended to lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. However, the two sides remain far apart on key issues including Trump’s insistence that any deal must permanently prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Tehran has sought the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and an end to the conflict in Lebanon.
With the war originally beginning on February 28, 2026, the recent exchanges have cast fresh doubt on the viability of a long-term settlement.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Iran would never bow to threats or coercion, stressing that no country could be forced into surrender through military bombardment.
Speaking on the regional situation, Pezeshkian said Iran did not believe war was in the country's interest but would not capitulate if its sovereignty was challenged. He called for efforts to move beyond the current crisis in the region and pursue stability through dialogue and cooperation.
The Iranian president acknowledged that governing the country during the ongoing crisis had been difficult, citing the challenges posed by regional tensions and external pressure. He urged national unity and cooperation to overcome the challenges facing the country.
The post Trump says Iran will ‘have to pay the price’ after tit-for-tat strikes appeared first on HUM News English.