U.S. Military Conducts Strikes on Iranian Targets in the Strait of Hormuz

<p>The U.S. military is conducting strikes on Iranian targets in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command stated on Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> The attacks are part of a strategy that President Trump and his senior aides have been considering in recent days to carry out limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from rebuilding its radar and missile capabilities, which could be used to attack ships. This plan was reported by Axios on Monday.</p><hr /><ul><li>One U.S. official indicated that the objective is to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, U.S. Navy ships, and Air Force aircraft, describing the approach as a way to "mow the lawn."</li></ul><p><strong>Details of the strikes:</strong> Iranian media reported that the strikes targeted locations along Iran's southern coast, including the cities of Bandar Abbas, Jask, Chabahar, Konarak, Minab, Sirik, and the island of Qeshm.</p><ul><li>Additionally, Iranian media reported that one U.S. strike hit a wedding ceremony in the town of Kuhestak, resulting in at least four fatalities and wounding at least 35 individuals.</li><li>In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. bases in Jordan, according to a U.S. official. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it conducted a ballistic missile attack on American Marines' barracks in Jordan, located on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba.</li></ul><p><strong>Statements from officials:</strong> "Today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region," CENTCOM reported.</p><ul><li>President Trump warned of a more severe response if Iran retaliates. He stated on Truth Social shortly after the strikes, "If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!"</li><li>The IRGC vowed to respond to the strikes. A spokesman for the IRGC stated, "A severe punishment awaits the aggressors. The United States will regret its latest attacks."</li><li>The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, quoted an Iranian military source asserting that the response would be "several times greater" than the American attacks, adding that "U.S. interests and bases in the region will quickly come under Iranian attack." </li></ul>