Iran Launches Large-Scale Retaliation Against U.S. Airstrikes, Targeting Bases in Gulf and Jordan

Iran launched a large-scale counterattack against U.S. military bases in the Middle East on July 12, local time, in response to U.S. airstrikes.

Iranian state media reported on the same day that "in response to continued U.S. attacks in southern Iran, the Iranian regular army, along with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), launched airstrikes on U.S. military facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain."

It added, "The Iranian military has warned that any further U.S. actions will trigger even harsher retaliation."

In this regard, the IRGC claimed to have destroyed a U.S. military command and control center and an MQ-9 drone hangar at the Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan using ballistic missiles.

They also announced that a Patriot air defense battery, an ammunition depot, and radar facilities at a U.S. base in Kuwait were struck by drones, and that U.S. military communication and radar facilities at the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (5th Fleet) in Bahrain were also targeted in drone attacks.

The Iranian military also fired several ballistic missiles targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as well as fighter jet maintenance facilities and command and control rooms within the base.

Iran's state-run Press TV reported that "the IRGC also heavily struck U.S. aircraft carrier refueling facilities and logistics supply facilities at the Port of Duqm in Oman," adding that "a second vessel that violated regulations for passing through the Strait of Hormuz was also attacked and disabled by the Iranian military."

Brigadier General Akrami Nia, a spokesperson for the Iranian military, argued, "The U.S. military must abide by the terms of the previous memorandum of understanding," and claimed, "U.S. interference, which seeks to solidify a system of illegal passage through the Strait of Hormuz, undermines security."

He further emphasized, "The Iranian military will firmly defend the Iranian people's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Our target list is being continuously updated."

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament and head of Iran's negotiation team with the U.S., warned on X, "The era of unilateral negotiations is over. We have already said it. Keep your promises. Otherwise, you will pay the price. It is time to face reality."

While Iran has not yet made an announcement, the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated that its air defense systems are active to counter missile threats.

The Kuwaiti military confirmed that it is "currently responding to hostile aerial targets within its airspace," and the Qatari Ministry of Defense also announced that it had "intercepted missiles targeting Qatar."

The Bahraini Ministry of Interior requested, "An air raid alert has been issued. Please stay in a safe place."

On this day, a cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, and subsequently, the IRGC announced that it would completely blockade the strait, claiming that ships were attempting to navigate through illegal routes.

They stated that they had fired warning shots at a vessel navigating through an unauthorized route, but it has not been confirmed whether this vessel is the same one that was attacked.

Following this, the U.S. Central Command carried out airstrikes on military and energy hubs in southern Iran, including Qeshm Island, Asaluyeh, and Bushehr, alleging that Iran had attacked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which led to Iran's large-scale counterattack targeting U.S. military bases across the Middle East.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.