Tehran: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Wednesday that it had executed retaliatory attacks on 21 American military targets located at US air and naval bases across the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the IRGC stated that long-range missiles successfully destroyed four key targets at the Al-Azraq base in Jordan, specifically targeting hangars housing F-35 fighter jets and a command-and-control center. The Jordanian military reported intercepting five missiles aimed at the al-Azraq area from Iran, with air defense systems neutralizing the threats and ensuring no casualties or material damage from falling debris.
The IRGC further reported initiating a drone strike on the Ali Al Salem Base in Kuwait, citing American aggression as the reason for the attack. The IRGC issued a stern warning that its forces are prepared to deliver a 'crushing and decisive' response to any further attacks, emphasizing that US forces would be held accountable for any consequences.
In related events, the IRGC claimed the downing of a US MQ-9 drone over Jam County in southern Bushehr province. These incidents followed US strikes on southern Iran earlier in the day. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned these US attacks, stating that Iran's armed forces had "severely targeted the US bases and assets in the region that were the origin" of the recent strikes on Iran.
In a statement via Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim, the ministry urged regional countries, particularly those on the southern Gulf shores, to prevent the US and Israel from using their lands and facilities for aggressive actions against Tehran. The statement underscored Iran's commitment to exercising its right to self-defense, including targeting the origins of attacks and the bases used to support aggressive operations against Iranian territory.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) later confirmed the completion of what it termed 'self-defense' strikes against Iran, with US fighter jets targeting Iranian air defense systems and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz. This action was a response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter.
Tensions in the region have been high since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February, which led to Iranian retaliations against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets. Although a temporary ceasefire was achieved on April 8, negotiations have since stalled due to disputes over its implementation and ongoing regional developments.