Military Tensions Escalate in Persian Gulf as IRGC and US CENTCOM Report New Attacks
Media sources have reported hearing multiple explosions in Bahrain; according to these sources, some of the sounds resulted from the activation of air defense systems. Simultaneously, both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) issued statements regarding recent military operations.
The IRGC Public Relations announced that its naval and aerospace forces conducted a joint missile and drone operation targeting 85 locations linked to US military facilities in Bahrain’s Salman Port, the Fifth Naval Region, and the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The statement also noted that an MQ-9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation was shot down.
In response, the US Central Command stated that in the early hours of July 7, it completed a new round of strikes against more than 80 targets inside Iran. CENTCOM described this action as an “immediate response” to recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and said the operation was carried out using precision-guided munitions.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and over 60 small boats affiliated with the IRGC within and around the Strait of Hormuz. The US military command added that the operation aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping in this crucial maritime passage.
CENTCOM also claimed that Iran attacked three commercial ships, including the oil tankers “MT Al Rukiyat” flagged in the Marshall Islands, “MT Wadiyan” flagged in Saudi Arabia, and “MT Cyprus Prosperity” flagged in Liberia. According to the command, these actions constitute a violation of the ceasefire and a threat to freedom of navigation.
US officials emphasized that their forces remain on alert and will act should Iran fail to comply with agreements. So far, Iranian officials have not released any new details regarding these claims.
