US launches fresh strikes on Iran, IRGC hits bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, blockade of Strait of Hormuz resumes
The night in the Middle East was once again filled with explosions. Despite recent diplomatic attempts, the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated to a new level: American strikes on Iranian provinces drew retaliatory fire on allied military bases. The blockade of the strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes, has been renewed.
On Tuesday night, several explosions rocked the southern Iranian provinces of Hormozgan and Khuzestan after the US announced a new round of strikes on Iran, state news agency IRIB reported. Six explosions were heard west of the port city of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, while the capital of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, came under American shelling. Separately, the semi official Mehr news agency reported that US airstrikes hit the Sirik district in Hormozgan province on Tuesday evening, noting that the attack caused no casualties or material damage. Three explosions were also heard near Qeshm Island in Hormozgan province.
US Central Command said on Tuesday that forces had launched a new round of strikes on Iran to further degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation took place shortly before the blockade was renewed. "At 16:00 Eastern Time today, US forces resumed the naval blockade of vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas," a Central Command statement said. "Currently, more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are operating in the Middle East. US forces remain vigilant, lethal and ready to act."
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that its air and naval forces had struck US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to US attacks earlier in the day. In a statement, the IRGC said its forces, in a joint missile and drone operation, hit and destroyed US weapons depots, as well as parts of ships and helicopters, at the Sheikh Isa air base in Bahrain.
The IRGC also struck the Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait, destroying and damaging a number of US MQ 9 Reaper drones. The attacks were in response to US strikes on several coastal stations of Iranian armed forces on Tuesday afternoon. The IRGC warned that retaliation would continue as long as the United States commits "crimes" and that any US attack would be met with "unexpected responses."
The latest developments follow days of clashes between Iran and the US over control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite a peace memorandum signed in mid June under which both sides were to begin negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement. As CCTV+ reports. The escalation continues, and the Middle East region is once again on the brink of full scale military confrontation.
