President Donald Trump departs for Florida from the White House on Jan. 16, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
The Trump administration has warned Iran against targeting American military bases, saying any attack on U.S. assets would be met with “very, very powerful force,” as tensions remained elevated amid Iran’s deadly clampdown on nationwide protests and escalating threats from senior Iranian officials.
In a post on X on Jan. 17, the State Department’s Persian-language account said Washington was closely monitoring reports that Tehran may be preparing options to strike U.S. installations in the region.
