Washington: The US military has launched targeted strikes against Iran in response to what it described as "attempted Iranian attacks" on American forces in the Middle East, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.
According to TRTworld.com, the US military targeted numerous Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities early on Thursday. These strikes were a direct response to attempted missile attacks on American forces stationed in the Middle East. CENTCOM revealed that the strikes focused on military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and defense sites, as well as maritime capabilities across Iran. The military operation aimed to mitigate threats posed by Iran and its allied groups to US forces, commercial shipping, and neighboring Gulf countries.
The latest escalation follows an incident on July 28, when the IRGC launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in what was termed an attempted surprise attack on US forces in the region. CENTCOM reported that more than 50,000 US service members remain deployed across the Middle East and are on heightened alert as tensions continue to rise.
Further complicating the situation, Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in the southern part of the country, with significant activity noted in the port city of Bandar Abbas and additional attacks on Qeshm Island. This development underscores the ongoing escalation between the US and Iran, as both countries engage in retaliatory actions.
The US strikes were conducted shortly after a drone attack targeted a US-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in Egypt. In a related development, former US President Donald Trump stated via Fox News that the US military would respond "hard" to a missile attack against US bases in Jordan. Trump emphasized the severity of the US response, indicating the use of strong language to convey the seriousness of the situation.
Additionally, Trump informed Fox News that US-Saudi coordinated bombing of pro-Iranian militias inside Iraq had been conducted with the cooperation of Iraqi authorities, despite public condemnations from the Iraqi government. This coordination highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region as tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate.