BBC News, Arabic Go to content Main sections News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations The IRGC announces targeting US bases in response to Washington's strikes on Iran after tankers targeted in Hormuz Photo Credit: Reuters
On Wednesday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it targeted dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to US strikes, in a statement carried by state television.
The statement said, "In an initial response to this aggression, the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guard carried out a joint operation using drones, targeting 85 key US military facilities" in both countries, and also shot down a MQ-9 drone.
This comes after the United States conducted strikes on Iran on Tuesday following the targeting of three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a sharp escalation in this confrontation that disrupts efforts to end the war in the Middle East.
In a post by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on X, it stated that "the American strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz," warning Iran to "pay a heavy price for targeting and attacking commercial ships."
For its part, Iranian television reported that six explosions were heard on the Iranian island of Qeshm and seven in the city of Sirik, with explosions also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas.
On Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran would respond "decisively" to the strikes carried out by the United States, indicating that Washington has repeatedly violated the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
It added in a statement published by state television on its Telegram channel, "Iran sends a serious warning regarding the consequences of the United States breaching the agreement," affirming that it "will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security."
This followed the US Treasury Department's Tuesday decision to revoke a license under which oil sanctions imposed on Iran were temporarily lifted, describing Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz as "completely unacceptable."
An American official stated that Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz are "absolutely unacceptable," and it will face severe consequences after the attacks targeting oil tankers in this strategic waterway.
He added that "negotiators continue to work in good faith to reach a final agreement with Iran despite the recent escalation."
Oil prices rose by more than five percent following this announcement. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced that it would grant a "grace period" until July 17 for Iranian oil transactions that were permitted under the revoked license.
The license announced in June allowed the Islamic Republic to produce, sell, and supply crude oil and its derivatives until August 21.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg deemed the new US strikes on Iran to be "extremely necessary."
Stoltenberg told reporters on Wednesday, prior to a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara: "When Iran significantly violates the ceasefire, I think it is very necessary for the United States to respond forcefully."
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Three ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in the past twenty-four hours, none of which resulted in casualties or environmental damage.
The first vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile on its left side while cruising off the coast of Oman, causing fires on board, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Without directly accusing any party, the British agency reported two other incidents, where an unidentified projectile targeted an oil tanker and caused "structural" damage, and an unknown source drone targeted another oil tanker.
Another American official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that initial indications suggest that Iran fired at three commercial ships.
Among these ships, there was a Saudi tanker and another Qatari liquefied gas tanker that Qatar accused Tehran of...