US Strikes Again in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran Claims Attacks on US Bases in the Gulf

The United States has launched a new large-scale airstrike near Iran's southern coast close to the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have attacked US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan in retaliation. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that dozens of military targets were struck in a seven-hour operation on Tuesday night near the Strait of Hormuz and in coastal areas of Iran. Tensions are rising as the fragile ceasefire from April comes under pressure.

According to news agencies and multiple US media outlets, CENTCOM stated that fighter jets, drones, and naval vessels were used to target Iran's missile and drone facilities, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems. The operation reportedly concluded at 10 PM US time (2 AM GMT on Wednesday), according to CENTCOM.

Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that Iranian media have reported explosions in several cities and islands along the southern coast, including Bandar Abbas, Kish, Hengam, Sirik, and Bushehr, where air defense systems were activated. The report also mentioned damage to a bottled water factory in Dehloran, West Ilam province, and a military base in Bampour, Sistan-Baluchestan. No immediate confirmation of casualties has been reported.

In retaliation, the IRGC claimed to have inflicted significant damage on the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, its supporting infrastructure, and fuel tanks, as well as a major US military supply center in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait. They also claimed to have destroyed shelters for F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets and several MQ-9 drones.

However, these claims of damage from Iran have not been independently verified. ⚠️ Multiple international news outlets, including Reuters, reported that there has been no independent confirmation of Iran's claims regarding damage or casualties in Bahrain and Jordan. Bahrain's defense forces only stated that their air defense systems had intercepted multiple Iranian aerial attacks.

The Jordanian military reported that they shot down an Iranian ballistic missile that entered their airspace early Wednesday morning; there were no casualties or property damage. Notably, there are discrepancies in the number of intercepted missiles reported by different sources — while Al Jazeera and some sources mention three, the Anadolu Agency, citing Jordan's official news agency Petra, reported the number as four.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned in an interview with Fox News that attacks on Iran would continue “until I say so,” and that infrastructure such as power plants and bridges could also become targets in the future. He stated that energy targets would be “left for last,” but ultimately would also be struck. He also claimed that America has warned Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

In addition to military strikes, the US has reimposed a naval blockade on ships traveling to Iranian ports, effective from 8 PM GMT on Tuesday night. Al Jazeera's correspondent in Washington, Mike Hanna, reported that approximately 21 US naval vessels are deployed in the region, according to CENTCOM.

According to Al Jazeera, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Washington and Tehran last June, which aimed to extend the April ceasefire and pave the way for negotiations to end the war. The purpose of this agreement was to halt the war that began with Israeli and American attacks on February 28. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.

The recent escalation of tensions began after Iran announced the closure of this strategic waterway following the declaration of a new shipping corridor through the Oman Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC had previously instructed commercial vessels to use only Tehran-approved routes, which they claim is a condition of the MoU from June. According to Iranian news agency IRNA, the IRGC warned on Wednesday that they could close “all export corridors that benefit America and its allies” if necessary.

Before the war began, nearly one-fifth of the world's total oil and gas supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Following reports of the US blockade, crude oil prices began to rise on Wednesday morning; at 12:29 AM GMT, Brent crude reached $86.19 per barrel, significantly higher than around $70 per barrel before the recent tensions. Additionally, the US Treasury announced that it has blocked over $130 million in assets by imposing sanctions on several cryptocurrency wallets linked to Iran's central bank.