Washington announces targeting of 90 Iranian military sites, IRGC responds by targeting US bases in the Gulf

BBC News, Arabic Go to content Main headlines Watch Listen Main sections News Economy Health Science Culture Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations News Economy Health Science Culture Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations Washington announces targeting of 90 Iranian military sites, IRGC responds by targeting US bases in the Gulf. U.S. Central Command - Arabic - Official X Account. U.S. military officials said Wednesday that US forces hit 90 Iranian military targets in the latest strikes against Iran. The strikes included air defense systems, missile and drone storage sites, and other assets. The Iranian armed forces also announced targeting US sites in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, according to Iranian state television. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement Thursday morning via its account on X, announcing that the United States "completed an additional round of strikes against Iran on July 8 to further undermine Tehran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz." Reports of explosions were heard at several sites along Iran's southern coast, according to Iranian state media, following the US Central Command's (CENTCOM) announcement of conducting a wave of strikes for the second consecutive night against Iran. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he ordered new strikes against Iran, warning of "far worse" consequences if Tehran continues targeting ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday, citing a local official, that three people were killed and others injured in a US strike in western Iran. Khuzestan Deputy Governor Valiollah Hayati told reporters that three people were killed and others injured in a US attack on the outskirts of Ahvaz, according to the Iranian official news agency. State television reported the suspension of the railway line between Tehran and Mashhad after the American strikes, hours before the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the city located in eastern Iran. The Iranian railway operating company stated in a statement that the reason for the line being halted was a "criminal attack carried out by the American-Israeli enemy" that targeted the railway track according to the statement, adding that they sent teams to repair the damage, and that authorities are working to provide land transportation for stranded passengers. The official news agency IRNA also reported hearing the roar of warplanes over Kish Island, and explosions rocked the coastal cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar, leading to power outages in parts of them. A detailed explanation of the main events and subjects is worth noting, to help you understand the most important changes around you and their impact on your life. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Thursday that it targeted US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the recent strikes launched by the United States on Iran, warning that its responses will expand to include other bases in the region if US attacks repeat, according to a statement broadcast by Iranian state television. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that it targeted "infrastructure and vital facilities" at the two bases of Ali Al-Salem and Arifjan in Kuwait and the two bases of Al-Jufair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain, with missiles and drones. Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, stated on X that "the attacking enemy and those who support him will face severe punishment." The Speaker of the Iranian parliament and chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, stated that the Strait of Hormuz will only be opened according to "Iranian arrangements" following the reciprocal strikes between Tehran and Washington. Qalibaf said via his X account that "the United States has not yet learned that intimidation practices and breaching promises no longer go unpunished," adding, "I will be clear: if you strike, you will be struck." President Donald Trump had posted on social media above a picture he shared showing what appears to be a bombing of a site in Iran, saying: "This is retaliation for the strikes carried out by Iran against ships yesterday, if it happens again...".