New Delhi: After a month of relative calm, the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated once again, with the US and Iran facing off amidst a renewed wave of attacks. For the second consecutive day, the US launched heavy strikes on bases belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In retaliation, Iran targeted the Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan and the US Marine positions located there with ballistic missiles.
Additionally, a major drone attack was launched against the Sheikh Isa Airbase in Bahrain, while Kuwait also confirmed drone attacks on its territory. The Jordanian military reported that its air defence systems intercepted and shot down 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles that had entered its airspace. Three missiles landed in uninhabited areas, away from populated regions; there have been no reports of casualties.
What did the IRGC say in its statement?
According to an IRGC statement, it delivered a “regrettable response” to the aggressors. The organisation claimed that a large number of US soldiers were killed in its attack. However, the US has not confirmed this claim; conversely, a US official dismissed the assertion as false, noting that the statement from Central Command (CENTCOM) made no mention of any US military casualties.
According to Iranian media, the attack on the Bahraini airbase targeted radar systems and locations where US troops were stationed. Sirens were heard in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, and there were reports of rockets being intercepted in mid-air.
When did the confrontation escalate?
Tensions between the two nations escalated after the US launched attacks on IRGC positions near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. CENTCOM reported that the operation commenced in the evening (Indian Standard Time) in response to Iranian attempts to target commercial vessels and US troops stationed in the region. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that this action was a response to Iran’s failed attempt to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz and a missile attack on a US base in Jordan.
Donald Trump stated that if Iran retaliates again, the response will be even harsher and on a much larger scale; he noted that this was not the “big” attack—the truly massive strike is yet to come. According to Iranian media, explosions were reported in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Jask, Sirik, Asaluyeh, Konarak, and Lavan, while a civilian airport in the city of Jiroft was also attacked.
The most harrowing report came from Sirik, where a US strike hit a house hosting a wedding ceremony. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, at least four people, including a child,d were killed, and over fifty others were injured in the attack.
What did Iran’s Supreme Leader say?
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first message following the attacks. He stated that his military holds lessons for Washington that will never be forgotten. The IRGC also claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on US bases in the Erbil province of northern Iraq, asserting that a repair centre, a warehouse, and the guidance system of a US surveillance balloon were destroyed.
