President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States would strike Iran "hard" again today, following overnight military exchanges between the two nations. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them hard again today." He also reiterated his call for Iran to sign a deal.

The escalation follows U.S. strikes on Iran on Tuesday, which President Trump stated were in response to Iran shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have responded with strikes on U.S. bases in the region.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump posted on his social media account, "They've taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!" He characterized Iran as being "completely defeated militarily."

In response, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that Iran "will stand firm against any pressure or threat." Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqai, accused the U.S. of damaging the diplomatic process through contradictory messages, shifting positions, and repeated violations of the ceasefire. He emphasized the need for Iran to re-assess the situation and noted that any diplomatic process requires a minimum of stability.

Separately, the U.S. military reported striking an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that had attempted to transport oil from Iran, violating an ongoing blockade. The Indian government confirmed three Indian sailors were missing and 21 crew members were rescued after an attack on the vessel, the Settebello, off the coast of Oman. The U.S. has been blockading Iranian ports since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz shipping route in February.

According to Centcom, Tuesday's U.S. strikes targeted Iranian defense systems, ground control stations, and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that U.S. strikes hit two reservoirs in the area, causing a 12-hour disruption to drinking water for thousands in the southern port town of Sirik.

The IRGC stated it launched strikes on 21 targets at American bases in the region, specifically mentioning one in Bahrain and another in Jordan. Kuwait's army reported intercepting an attack. A U.S. official cited by Reuters indicated that nearly all Iranian targets were successfully struck.

The situation marks a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with potential implications for regional stability and global shipping routes.