Late on Sunday evening, the United States carried out a new wave of airstrikes on military facilities in Iran, saying the goal was to reduce Tehran’s ability to attack international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it used precision-guided munitions against dozens of sites across various regions, including air defense systems, coastal radars, missile launchers, drones, and small boats. For the first time, attack drones and one-time camouflage boats were used.
According to US forces, the strikes were launched from US Air Force fighter jets and Navy vessels. In CENTCOM’s statement, it emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains vital for global trade and is not under Iran’s control, and that US forces are prepared to ensure freedom of navigation. Iranian state media, in turn, reported that extensive areas in the south and west of the country were hit—Keshm Island, the port of Bandar Abbas near the strait, as well as areas in Khuzestan Province on the border with Iraq.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, Sepah) immediately responded, announcing strikes on US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. According to statements relayed via the Iranian agency IRNA, the targets included Prince Hasan Air Base in Jordan, a command-and-control center for US drones in Bahrain, and the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait. The Iranian website Nournews уточнил that the mass attacks were carried out using drones and rockets launched from bases in western and central Iran.
Military sources in Iran said the strikes were conducted against pre-reconnoitered targets tracked over the past 48 hours, and that losses among the “enemy” would be significant due to the effect of surprise. In Kuwait, the army confirmed the interception of “hostile aerial targets” in its airspace, noting that the sounds of explosions were caused by air-defense systems. Authorities urged citizens to follow safety instructions.
Jordanian military sources reported that air-defense systems intercepted four rockets that entered the country’s airspace from Iran early Monday morning. The operation was carried out “with high effectiveness,” with no casualties or material damage; debris was handled by sappers. In Bahrain on Monday morning, air-raid sirens sounded, and the Ministry of the Interior called on residents to remain calm and take shelter in safe places while monitoring official news.
The escalation comes amid a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran on June 17, intended to end the war that began on February 28. Now there are concerns that the agreement may be derailed. Already on Monday, oil prices surged at trading in Tokyo by more than 3.5%—WTI futures exceeded $74 per barrel, recouping the previous drop that followed the announcement of the memorandum.
Comments on the news
What functions and sphere of influence does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, Sepah) have beyond military operations, and how does it differ from Iran’s regular army?
The IRGC (Sepah) is not only a military force but also a powerful economic and political player. It controls major construction projects, infrastructure, the banking sector, and trade (through the structure “Khatam al-Anbia”). In addition, the IRGC oversees a program of missile and nuclear research and is involved in suppressing internal protests. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which is responsible for border defense and operates within the framework of the constitution, the IRGC is directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader and has its own courts, intelligence services, and special operations forces (“Quds”). Its influence extends far beyond the military sphere, encompassing politics, the economy, and ideology.Why are Keshm Island and Bandar Abbas port particularly important for Iran in the context of controlling the Strait of Hormuz?
Keshm Island is the largest in the Persian Gulf and lies directly at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. It hosts IRGC military bases and air-defense systems, as well as oil terminals. The port of Bandar Abbas is the main hub for oil exports and goods imports, through which a significant part of Iran’s trade passes. Together, they allow Iran to shut down the strait in the event of conflict, deploy coastal missile complexes, and control all ships transiting the area. This strategic location gives Iran leverage over global oil markets.How independent are the Iranian news agencies IRNA and Nournews, and how do their messages reflect the authorities’ official position?
Both agencies are state-run or affiliated with the authorities. IRNA is Iran’s official news agency, directly controlled by the government and often used to disseminate statements from officials. Nournews is linked to the Supreme National Security Council and reflects the views of the conservative wing. They are not independent in the Western sense: their editorial policy strictly follows the line of the Supreme Leader and the government. The messages from these agencies serve as an indicator of the official position, especially on foreign-policy issues, the nuclear program, and regional conflicts. Any critical materials go through censorship.
Full version: US strikes on Iran, with Tehran targeting Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan