Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting 85 United States military installations across the Gulf region, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations.
In a statement released by the IRGC Public Relations Department, the force confirmed that its naval and aerospace units conducted a coordinated missile and drone assault against American facilities at Salman Port, the US Fifth Naval Region headquarters in Bahrain, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The IRGC also reported that it successfully downed a US MQ-9 drone that was attempting to disrupt the operation.
The announcement came hours after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had carried out what it described as “powerful strikes” against Iranian targets.
US Strikes Target Coastal Regions
The IRGC stated that American attacks struck several coastal bases and civilian locations in Iran’s southern Hormozgan and Khuzestan provinces during the early morning hours. The force characterized the timing as particularly provocative, occurring while millions of Iranians participated in funeral processions and farewell ceremonies for the nation’s martyred leader.
Tehran accused Washington of violating existing agreements and undermining the Islamabad Memorandum—a diplomatic framework governing regional security arrangements. The IRGC further contended that the US attacks were a direct response to the profound global resonance of the funeral ceremonies, which it described as a strategic defeat for American policy in the region.
Local media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Sirik in southern Iran, with strikes in Sirik reportedly targeting a commercial pier and fishing port. Iranian sources indicated that several civilians sustained shrapnel wounds in the attacks.
Gulf States on High Alert
The escalating confrontation triggered widespread security responses across the Gulf region. Kuwait’s military confirmed it was actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats, while Bahrain activated its air defense systems, according to local reports and social media footage.
Diplomatic Dimensions
The military escalation follows Tehran’s sharp condemnation of Washington’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iranian oil exports. Iran’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the US revocation of temporary sanctions waivers constituted a breach of Article 10 of the Islamabad Memorandum, accusing the American administration of demonstrating “bad faith, instability, and unreliability.”
The ministry issued a stern warning that the United States would bear full responsibility for the consequences of violating the agreement and confirmed that Tehran would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and security.
Source: Iranian media and Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)