President Trump Promises to Respond Firmly to Attack on US Tanker in Egypt

FSRU Energos Winter. (Source Energos)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised a "very tough" response after a drone attacked a US-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in Egypt.

President Trump was asked by reporters at the White House whether there was any indication that Iran was behind the attack.

"Well, I can give you a report. I have been briefed. It's a little more of the same, but it will be resolved soon," he said, launching Anadolu (30/7).

A drone attacked the Energos Winter gas tanker in the Port of Damietta, Egypt, on Wednesday, raising concerns that the war in the Middle East could spread to vital maritime infrastructure.

President Trump said the US would attack Iran "very hard."

"We will attack them very hard because now it's our turn to attack them. They know it's coming," he added.

Referring to Tehran's recent attack on American forces in Jordan, President Trump said they "tried to shoot" last night.

"So, we fired five rockets at a speed of 8,500 miles per hour, and the five rockets were successfully repelled, but they still took risks. Now it's our turn, and we'll see if we can reach an agreement at some point. But we will attack them very hard," said President Trump.

Separately, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said ballistic missiles had targeted a US airbase in Jordan in response to what it called "US military aggressive actions."

The Jordanian armed forces said their air defenses intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran heading for the kingdom on Wednesday morning.

Asked whether he saw a scenario in which Iran attacked US installations and personnel abroad or the withdrawal of US troops, Trump said: "No, I don't see that."

"We're going to hit them very hard. I mean, I can really say that because they can't do anything. But you know, we have to give them a little lesson," added President Trump.

It is known that tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, with Washington carrying out attacks on Iran, and Tehran responding by targeting US military facilities and equipment in various countries in the region.