Speaking in an interview aired on Fox News, Trump said the United States is prepared to use all necessary force to protect its interests and the safety of its troops in the Middle East.
"We will beat them," Trump said emphatically, before adding, "We will beat them hard. They will get a beating."
According to Trump, the US decision to respond was taken after missiles fired by Iran targeted US military bases in Jordan in an overnight attack.
He explained that US troops had very little time to intercept the missiles before they caused significant damage or loss of life. Trump said he had closely followed the operation through videos of the incident and praised the ability of US forces to deal with the threat.
In the interview, Trump also strongly attacked Iran-backed militias in the Middle East, calling them a cancer on the world and claiming that these groups have contributed significantly to the continuation of conflicts and unrest in the region.
In addition, he said the US strikes carried out overnight against Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq were coordinated in cooperation with the Iraqi government, as part of an operation to reduce threats against US forces and its allies.
Despite the escalation of military tensions between the two sides, Trump noted that diplomatic channels are not yet closed. He said talks between the United States and Iran are continuing even after the latest attack, suggesting that there is still room to find a solution through diplomacy as well as security measures.
Trump's statements come as the security situation in the Middle East continues to be volatile, with repeated attacks on US forces raising fears of a wider conflict between Washington and Tehran.
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