Frozen copy retrieved 2026-07-30T19:16:28Z for audit 2026-07-30T22-11-02Z. Original URL: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6000550-iran-threatens-us-after-retaliatory-strikes/. The Stochastic Parrot does not host or redistribute; this snapshot exists solely so that quoted spans remain verifiable if the original page changes. Character offsets below index into this plain text; highlighted spans are the quotes cited in the audit.

Iran threatens to 'punish the aggressor' after US launches retaliatory strikes

The Hill · back to the audit

Iran on Thursday threatened to "punish" the United States following a "heavy wave of strikes" against Tehran overnight in retaliation against missile attacks on American forces in the Middle East. The Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it "will punish the aggressor today," extending the threat to Gulf nations helping Washington in the conflict, saying such countries would "receive a harsh response," according to Iranian state media. Now in its sixth month, the war Trump initially insisted was a "short-term excursion" has no end in sight even as 18 U.S. troops have been killed, critical missile interceptors are being used up quicker than they can be replaced and the cost of the fighting continues to climb. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week testified before lawmakers that the war has cost an estimated $37.5 billion. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a resolution directing the president to withdraw U.S. troops from hostilities against Tehran. By Ellen Mitchell -- 07/30/26 3:15 PM ET.