Iran’s IRGC Launches Retaliatory Strikes on Zionist entity, Targets U.S. Bases in Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday the launch of a massive wave of missile and drone strikes against the Zionist entity, adding that all U.S. bases, assets, and interests across the region are considered legitimate targets by Iranian army.

This comes as the United States and “Israel” launched an attack on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.

The U.S. strikes took place from both air and sea, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded to the joint strikes, saying that the country “will not hesitate” in its response to the renewed military aggression.

“The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault,” the foreign ministry posted in a statement on X. “Just as we were prepared for negotiations, we have been even more prepared for defense at all times. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to the aggressors with full authority.”

Iran’s IRGC, moreover, launched strikes on the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, targeting U.S. forces there. The four gulf countries later announced the closure of their airspace. Meanwhile, AFP reported that loud explosions have been heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Bahrain said the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage from witnesses in Bahrain showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the small island state’s coastline as sirens wailed.

It is noteworthy that the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet command is responsible for securing the shipping lanes around the oil-rich Middle East.

Those waters include the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region contains three key chokepoints: the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandeb on either end of the Red Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to shut the strait if attacked. Meanwhile, the Houthis in Yemen have said they will resume attacks on shipping routes.