US launches fresh airstrikes on Iran’s IRGC targets

The United States has conducted additional airstrikes targeting entities associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes commenced at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, in response to recent assaults and attempted assaults by the IRGC on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel stationed in the area.

CENTCOM announced on X that "today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region." This action unfolded after US President Donald Trump had pledged a forceful US response to attacks on US bases in Jordan over the weekend.

Iran has targeted eight commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade of ships heading to and from Iranian ports was reinstated on July 14, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which keeps track of maritime security incidents in the region. Out of these reported attacks, four have transpired since last Monday.

Iran has maintained a defiant stance, threatening to obstruct oil exports from the Gulf. Simultaneously, Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island, situated on the northern flank of the Strait of Hormuz. Additional explosions were also claimed in Bandar Abbas, a significant port city, and Chabahar, located on Iran’s southern coastline.