Trump says US hit Iran 'much harder' after ship attacks

Iranian lawmaker Morteza Mahmoudi said on Wednesday the US would receive a “powerful” response for what he called its attacks on Iran in recent nights. In a post on X, Mahmoudi praised Iranian forces and criticized officials he said had placed their hopes in promises from "the country’s enemies."

"Undoubtedly, America will receive a decisive response to the crimes it committed tonight and last night. Pray for the warriors and defenders of our country who stand with their lives on the line in the midst of the battlefield, protecting these borders and lands, and for the guidance of those officials who have pinned their hopes on the enemy's promises," Mahmoudi said.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his stop in the UK on his way from Turkey to the US required “virtually no deviation” from his planned flight path. He said the stop at RAF Mildenhall allowed him to meet service members and show them the new Air Force One aircraft, in a post on Truth Social.

Hardline influencer Davood Modaresian on Wednesday called for retaliatory strikes against Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar after what he said were attacks on four Iranian provinces.

In a post on X, Modaresian said delays in taking preemptive action would lead to greater losses, arguing that Iran should have acted before being attacked.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday a US response was in retaliation for what he described as Iran’s bombing of ships the previous day, warning that any further attacks would bring a more severe response.

"This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" he posted on Truth Social.

Residents of Iran’s Kharg Island say they will not leave despite threats against the strategic island, with many telling journalist Hoda Hashemi that Kharg is their home and asking, “Where would we go?”

In a chin tweet from the island, Hashemi described residents continuing their daily lives under the shadow of rising tensions, while some workers from other cities have sent their families to safer areas. Local residents, however, said they would remain, saying they would not abandon their homes.