Iran on Monday claimed it had launched coordinated missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for recent American strikes inside Iran, escalating the military confrontation between the two countries.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks formed part of the third phase of its ongoing “eye-for-an-eye” operation. The claims came a day after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, saying the action was aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran claims attacks on three US military bases
According to Iran’s state-affiliated Nour News Agency, cited by Al Jazeera, the Iranian Army and the IRGC carried out “large-scale missile and drone attacks” on what it described as enemy bases across the region.
The IRGC said the first phase of the operation targeted Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan. It claimed missiles and drones struck fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities.
The Iranian force alleged the US military action followed an operation by the IRGC Navy against two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of switching off their tracking systems, travelling illegally and posing a threat to navigation.
In the second phase, the IRGC claimed its aerospace forces attacked Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Airbase. It alleged the strikes hit helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre.
The third phase, according to the IRGC, targeted Kuwait’s Ali Al-Salem Airbase and Ahmed Al-Jaber Airbase. It claimed fuel storage tanks, Patriot air defence systems and a strategic FPS radar system were destroyed.
The IRGC said retaliatory operations were continuing and warned against further US military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM says strikes aimed at protecting Strait of Hormuz
Earlier, US Central Command said it had launched precision strikes at multiple locations across Iran.
According to CENTCOM, the operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone launch positions and small tactical vessels.
The command said fighter aircraft, naval combatants, one-way attack aerial drones and one-way attack sea drones were used during the operation.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
In a separate post on X, the command said the strikes began at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday on the direction of the Commander in Chief.
“At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable,” CENTCOM said.
The US military said the operation was intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian mariners using the strategic waterway.
Explosions reported in Iran, Bahrain activates warning sirens
Iran’s IRNA News Agency reported that at least two powerful explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said warning sirens had been activated.
“The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. The alarm siren has been activated. We urge citizens and residents to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels,” the ministry said in a post on X.
(With inputs from ANI)