US Strikes IRGC Targets in Iran as Monthlong Military Lull Ends/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ U.S. Central Command said American forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran at noon Tuesday. The military said the operation followed attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American personnel in the region. The strikes mark a renewed escalation after a monthlong lull in the intermittent war between the United States and Iran.
Quick Look
- CENTCOM said U.S. forces began the strikes at noon Eastern time Tuesday.
- The operation targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and on Qeshm Island.
- The U.S. cited attempted attacks on commercial shipping and American troops.
- U.S. forces struck rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday.
- Iran responded Sunday by firing missiles toward U.S. sites in Jordan.
- Those missiles were intercepted, according to the U.S. military.
- The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting an Iranian drone.
- Eight commercial ships have reportedly been attacked since the blockade resumed July 14.
- Four of those attacks occurred since the previous Monday, according to UKMTO data.
- Trump warned Monday that additional U.S. strikes were possible.
- The United States and Iran have been engaged in intermittent warfare for more than six months.
Deep Look
US launches strikes against IRGC targets
The U.S. military launched strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets inside Iran on Tuesday, ending a monthlong period without direct military action.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation shortly after explosions were reported in southern Iran.
“Today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region,” CENTCOM posted on X.
The military did not immediately identify the specific targets, weapons used or extent of the damage.
Explosions reported across southern Iran
Explosions were heard Tuesday in the southern port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik and on Qeshm Island.
Iranian state television confirmed explosions in Bandar Abbas but initially provided no further information.
Bandar Abbas is a strategically important port near the Strait of Hormuz. Qeshm and nearby Larak Island also sit close to the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
The region contains important Iranian military, naval and commercial infrastructure.
Shipping attacks cited as justification
CENTCOM said the strikes followed recent attempted IRGC attacks against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and American military personnel deployed across the region.
Iran has attacked eight commercial ships in the strait since a blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports resumed July 14, according to reports compiled by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre.
Four of those incidents occurred since the previous Mondayaccording to the UKMTO, which monitors maritime security reports in the Middle East.
The renewed attacks have increased concerns about commercial navigation through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Weekend exchange ended monthlong lull
The latest escalation follows an exchange of fire Sunday that broke a month without military action between the United States and Iran.
The U.S. military said it struck rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by launching missiles toward U.S. sites in Jordan. The missiles were intercepted, according to American officials.
The United Arab Emirates also said it intercepted an Iranian drone over Emirati waters.
Those incidents raised fears that the six-month conflict could return to sustained military confrontation.
Trump warned additional strikes were possible
President Donald Trump signaled Monday that the United States might conduct further attacks.
Trump claimed that months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment had turned Iran into “a failed nation.” He said much of Iran’s political leadership had been killed, its military severely damaged and its economy weakened by rapidly rising inflation.
Despite that assessment, Trump acknowledged that further military action could be necessary.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t smack them,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll see what happens.”
The U.S. strikes began the following day.
Renewed conflict threatens wider region
The United States and Iran have been engaged in an intermittent war for more than six months.
Iran has targeted U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries since the conflict began. Renewed open warfare could place American troops, regional allies, civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping at greater risk.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of tension. Continued attacks or restrictions on shipping could further disrupt energy supplies and increase global oil prices.
Neither Washington nor Tehran immediately indicated whether Tuesday’s strikes would be limited or mark the beginning of a broader military campaign.
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