POLITICS

Trump Vows "Very Hard" Strike on Iran After Drone Hits US LNG Vessel

PUBLISHED Jul 29, 2026, 8:07 PM ET

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US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his threat of military action against Iran, stating that Washington plans to strike Tehran "very hard" and asserting that "it's our turn to hit them." Speaking during an Oval Office appearance, Trump confirmed he had been briefed on an explosion that rocked a US-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel at Egypt's Damietta Port following a drone strike. "They know it's coming," Trump declared, directing further warnings at Tehran. Maritime security firm Ambrey identified the vessel as the US-owned floating storage ship Energos Winter, revealing it was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle while berthed at the facility. Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum confirmed a fire broke out involving a storage vessel and a tugboat at Damietta Port, adding no casualties were reported. The assault at the Egyptian terminal capped one of the most tumultuous days in the region. Hours earlier, US and Saudi military forces launched coordinated strikes targeting Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) positions across Iraq. The joint operation marked Riyadh's first official acknowledgement of participating in direct combat alongside Washington against Tehran-aligned groups. In a parallel escalation, Tehran confirmed launching a salvo of missiles targeting US military installations in Jordan alongside maritime operations against vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also turned down a diplomatic proposal from Oman aimed at joint administration of the critical maritime choke point. The PMF said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded in the US-Saudi strikes, while Iraq condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty. Iranian media reported at least four members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in the joint attack. Trump delivered a scathing threat against adversary forces following the multi-front developments. "We'll be hitting them hard," Fox News quoted Trump as saying, bef

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

· On July 7, 2026, Iran attacked Qatari LNG carrier Al Rekayyat in Hormuz.
· On July 14, 2026, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on US bases.
· On July 24, 2026, Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran was over.
· On July 26, 2026, both sides paused fighting after nearly two weeks.
· On July 27, 2026, Trump said there was a "good chance" of negotiations.
· On July 28, 2026, Iran launched ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan.
· On July 28, 2026, CENTCOM said all Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted.
· On July 28, 2026, IRGC naval forces struck three oil tankers in Hormuz.
· On July 29, 2026, US and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on PMF in Iraq.
· On July 29, 2026, PMF said at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded.
· On July 29, 2026, a drone struck the US-owned Energos Winter at Damietta, Egypt.
· On July 29, 2026, Trump vowed the US would hit Iran "very hard" in response.
· On July 29, 2026, Trump told Fox News the US would "beat the fucking shit" out of Iran.
· On July 29, 2026, Trump said the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government.
· On July 29, 2026, Trump said he had been briefed on the Egypt tanker attack.
· On July 29, 2026, Iran rejected an Omani proposal to divide the Strait of Hormuz.
· On July 29, 2026, Iran declared Hormuz would "never return to its prewar situation."
· On July 29, 2026, the US Treasury sanctioned eight oil tankers and 10 entities linked to Iran.
· On July 29, 2026, Brent crude jumped over 5% on fears of supply disruptions.
· On July 29, 2026, no group claimed responsibility for the Damietta drone strike.
· A major US military strike on Iran could trigger all-out regional war.
· Iran may escalate attacks on US assets across the Middle East.
· Oil prices could surge further if Hormuz shipping is disrupted.
· Diplomatic efforts may collapse entirely after the latest escalations.
· US-Saudi military coordination against Iran could expand to other fronts.
· Iran-backed militias may retaliate with more drone attacks on Saudi targets.
· The conflict could spread to critical maritime infrastructure across the region.
· China may supply shoulder-fired missiles to Iran, escalating the war.
· Iraq's sovereignty could be further violated by continued US-Saudi strikes.
· A wider war could disrupt global energy markets and supply chains.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Oil prices surge, military escalation risks American lives in region.
Possible long-term US impact: Protracted Middle East war strains US military and economy.
Affected groups: US troops in Jordan and Iraq, energy consumers, global shipping industry.
Reader priority: Monitor official CENTCOM statements and oil market movements for escalation signs.

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