Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Claim Retaliation Strikes on US Sites in Gulf

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that it had targeted American military sites in the Gulf region, state television reported. The strikes were presented as retaliation for earlier US attacks on Iranian positions, according to a statement carried by state TV on Telegram.

The US military had confirmed on Friday that it conducted strikes in Iran in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington attributed to Tehran. The vessel was reportedly hit by a drone or missile, though details of casualties or damage remain unverified.

“If the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this,” the IRGC warned, without specifying which US sites were hit or whether there were casualties. US officials have not yet commented on the alleged Iranian strikes.

The exchange marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, which have been at odds since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the subsequent imposition of sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments, has been a flashpoint for such confrontations.

International observers have called for restraint, urging both sides to de-escalate through diplomatic channels. The United Nations Secretary-General expressed concern over the rising hostilities and urged all parties to avoid further military action that could destabilize the region.

As of now, there is no independent confirmation of the extent of damage from either side’s strikes, and claims from both Iran and the US remain unverified by third-party sources.