Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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United States President Donald Trump on Monday (Aug 31) vowed to hit Iran “hard” after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time in weeks, raising fears of a return to major hostilities. On Sunday, the US struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US forces in the Middle East. Speaking to CNA’s Asia First, Nader Hashemi, associate professor of Middle East and Islamic politics at Georgetown University, says the latest exchange appears to be a one-off for now, but warns that the relative calm could be “the calm before the storm”. He believes Iran may seek to escalate again as US economic pressure intensifies and Tehran’s ability to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz weakens.

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