Trump Threatens to Hit Iran 'Very Hard' in Coming Weeks

Tensions escalate as Iran retaliates with missile attacks on Israel and Gulf states

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of dark grey, navy blue, and fiery orange, conveying the chaotic and destructive nature of the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.As tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate, a fractured, abstract painting captures the turbulent and unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict.Washington Today

In a televised address, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to keep hitting Iran 'very hard' in the next two or three weeks and 'bring the country back to the Stone Ages,' even as he claimed U.S. objectives in the conflict have been met. Iran has responded with a barrage of missile strikes on Israel and Gulf Arab states, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran has already had significant global economic and geopolitical implications, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting international oil and trade flows. Trump's latest threats of intensified attacks on Iran raise the specter of a protracted and destructive war, which could further destabilize the region and have far-reaching consequences.

The details

In his address, Trump claimed that all of Washington's objectives in the conflict with Iran have been met or exceeded, even as Iran continues to retaliate with missile strikes on Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have also joined the fray, claiming a joint operation with Iran and Hezbollah. The war has already taken a heavy toll, with over 1,900 Iranians killed and widespread damage to military sites, universities, and cultural landmarks. However, some Iranians have defiantly celebrated the annual Sizdeh Bedar holiday, a pre-Islamic tradition, as a show of defiance against Trump's threats.

  • On Wednesday night, President Trump delivered a televised address about the conflict with Iran.
  • In the coming two to three weeks, Trump vowed that the U.S. will keep hitting Iran 'very hard'.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has vowed to intensify U.S. attacks on Iran in the coming weeks.

Iran

The Middle Eastern country that has retaliated against the U.S. and its allies with missile strikes, raising concerns about further escalation of the conflict.

Houthi rebels

An Iran-backed militant group in Yemen that has joined the conflict, claiming a joint operation with Iran and Hezbollah.

Israel

A key U.S. ally in the region that has been targeted by Iranian missile strikes.

Gulf Arab states

U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf region that have also been targeted by Iranian missile attacks.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran has far-reaching implications, both regionally and globally. Trump's latest threats of intensified attacks raise the specter of a protracted and destructive war, which could further destabilize the Middle East and have significant economic and geopolitical consequences. The situation underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.