Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday that it had carried out drone strikes on U.S. military sites in the Middle East. In a statement, Iran’s armed forces said the attack targeted the Al Azraq airbase in Jordan, where F-18 fighter jets and other U.S. equipment are based. Reports say there were two waves of strikes on the base, while the Pentagon has not yet officially commented.
Alongside the attacks on Jordan, the situation worsened in Bahrain and Kuwait. In Bahrain, an air raid warning was issued, and the IRGC said it had hit sites belonging to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Kuwait’s air defenses, according to a local military command, are repelling attacks by “hostile” drones. Earlier, Kuwait reported the interception of six rockets and 33 drones; four service members were wounded, and there was material damage from falling debris.
A separate incident occurred off the coast of the UAE in the Strait of Hormuz. As the UAE said, two oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles, resulting in the death of an Indian sailor and injuries to eight more people. The IRGC confirmed that it disabled the vessels, claiming they had ignored “repeated warnings.”
After these attacks, the IRGC issued a sharply worded statement: the strait would remain closed “until American aggression ends.” Iran warned of consequences for oil and gas export routes, saying: “Either hydrocarbon exports will be available to all in the region, or to none.” This is a direct threat to global energy supplies.
The current escalation is part of the cycle of mutual strikes: the United States carries out retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian targets, while Tehran strikes targets in Persian Gulf countries and in Jordan. Local authorities report casualties among civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure. Washington has not yet issued an official reaction to Iran’s latest statements.
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How does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) differ from Iran’s regular army, and what influence does it have on decision-making in the country? — The IRGC is an elite ideological structure created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the regime. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and is focused on traditional border defense, the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader (rahbar). The IRGC controls the missile program, operations abroad (for example, in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen), and also wields significant economic influence through its affiliated companies (for example, “Khatam al-Anbiya”). In terms of decision-making in the country, the IRGC influences policy through close ties with conservative political circles and through its personal representation on the Supreme National Security Council, making it a key player not only in the military sphere but also in politics.
What is the strategic significance of the Al Azraq airbase (Jordan) for the United States, and why might Iran have chosen it as a target? — The Al Azraq airbase is located in eastern Jordan, not far from the borders with Syria and Iraq. For the United States, it is an important logistical hub: fighter jets are based there, as are reconnaissance aircraft (including drones), and elements of air defense are also deployed. The base is used to train Iraqi and Syrian forces, conduct operations against ISIS, and monitor Iranian sites. Iran might consider it a target due to its role in deterring pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq, as well as as a demonstration of the ability to threaten U.S. interests beyond Iran. In addition, Al Azraq is one of the few U.S. facilities that can be struck by Iranian medium-range missiles without directly provoking Saudi Arabia or Israel.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz considered critically important for global oil supplies, and what historical precedents exist for Iranian threats to block it? — The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, with about 20–21 million barrels of oil passing through it daily (roughly one-fifth of global consumption). Any blockade would lead to a sharp jump in prices, disrupt global supply chains, and trigger an energy crisis. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in response to economic pressure (for example, in the 1980s during the Iran–Iraq war, in 2012–2013 amid sanctions against its oil sector, and in 2019 after the tightening of U.S. sanctions). However, a full blockade is unlikely: it would provoke a direct military conflict with the United States and its allies, which patrol the strait. Instead, Iran uses selective “incidents” (detaining tankers, mining) as a pressure tool.
Full version: إيران تعلن مهاجمة قاعدة بالأردن وإنذارات في البحرين والكويت