TEHRAN – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted US military bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for recent American airstrikes.
Iranian state media reported strikes on two airbases in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Bahrain activated missile alert sirens for a second time as regional tensions continued to escalate across the Gulf.
Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) completed a new wave of offensive strikes against Iran, July 12, hitting dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM forces struck Iranian military air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using U.S. fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack sea drones for the first time.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it.
US forces are postured and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available to commercial shipping despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply concerned by the serious escalation,” urging an end to all attacks.
A statement issued by his Spokesperson called on all combatants “to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalatory action and take immediate steps to de‑escalate.”
The Secretary-General reiterated that a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences “for the peoples of the region” and beyond, as well as the global economy.
The uptick in fighting and end to the fragile ceasefire negotiated last month have seen energy prices rise while shipping through the strait between Iran and Oman has once again ground to a halt.
