WASHINGTON: The United States has launched a heavy wave of air strikes against Iran, targeting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites in retaliation for Tehran’s attempted missile attacks on US forces, marking a major escalation after nearly a week of relative calm in the Middle East conflict.
The strikes, confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), shattered hopes of renewed diplomacy and signalled Washington’s return to direct military action against Iran.
“The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East,” CENTCOM said, adding that American forces struck dozens of IRGC military command centres and other strategic targets.
Iranian authorities said US missiles hit areas near Qeshm Island in Hormozgan province and around Abadan in Khuzestan province during the early hours of Thursday.
US Resumes Military Campaign
According to Iranian media, explosions were reported near Qeshm Island at around 4:00 a.m. local time.
Ahmad Nafisi, deputy governor of Hormozgan province, said a location near Qeshm was struck by what he described as the “American enemy military”, while officials in Khuzestan reported missile strikes around Abadan.
The renewed attacks came after US President Donald Trump vowed a forceful response.
“We’ll be hitting them hard… We are going to beat the ‘effing s’ out of them,” Trump told Fox News ahead of the operation.
Iran Vows Resistance
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched missiles at US military bases in Jordan, while Jordan’s military said it intercepted five incoming missiles.
The Guards warned that attacks would continue as long as Iran remained under threat.
“As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue… the resistance will continue,” the force said.
Iranian state media also reported a US strike near the country’s border with Iraq but said there were no casualties.
Fighting Spreads Across the Region
The latest escalation extended beyond Iran.
The United States and Saudi Arabia announced joint strikes against Iran-aligned militant positions in Iraq after Riyadh blamed Tehran-backed armed groups for repeated drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
The US military said the operation targeted logistics hubs and weapons storage sites belonging to an Iran-backed militia.
Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi said at least 20 of its members were killed, while officials claimed five Iranian military advisers were also among the dead.
Baghdad condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and rejecting “all acts of aggression” regardless of the party responsible.
However, Fox News reported that Trump said the operation had been coordinated with the Iraqi government.
Meanwhile, Israel accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire after alleging the group launched a drone at an Israeli vehicle inside Lebanon overnight.
Hormuz Tensions Deepen
The renewed military campaign comes as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to intensify.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had intercepted and halted three oil tankers in the strategic waterway and insisted Tehran had “full control” of the strait.
Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the vital energy corridor and announced plans to impose transit fees, a move strongly opposed by Washington.
The United States has also unveiled fresh sanctions targeting entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards, accusing them of extorting commercial vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz.
The closure of the strategic route has further increased the importance of the Red Sea as an alternative export corridor for Gulf oil shipments.
